GATWICK hit three million passengers last month – the first time it has ever reached that milestone in November.

The number of passengers flying to long-haul destinations was up by 11.9 per cent.

Services to Kigali, Rwanda and Colombo, and Sri Lanka helped to drive the growth.

Gatwick’s cargo traffic also continued its upward surge, growing by 5.3 per cent compared with the same month last year.

November also saw Gatwick announce its first flights to Brazil with a new low-cost, long-haul Norwegian route to Rio de Janeiro set to take off in March.

Stewart Wingate, Chief Executive, said: “November’s record-breaking passenger and cargo numbers highlight the imperative role that Gatwick continues to play for the country.

“The growth in the number of passengers travelling to Kigali is a great example of how our extensive range of long-haul routes is being embraced by business and leisure travellers from across the UK.

“Our network has now been bolstered even further by vital new routes.”