GATWICK Airport will close one of its terminals and cut runway hours as the coronavirus pandemic continues to cripple airlines.


The airport’s North Terminal will shut on Wednesday for at least a month.


From Wednesday onwards, flights will only depart from and arrive at the airport between 2pm and 10pm.

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A Gatwick spokesman said the Covid-19 outbreak had had a “severe and unparalleled impact” on the aviation industry.


Chief executive Stewart Wingate said the decision would shield the airport from the pandemic’s consequences.


“Gatwick is a resilient but also responsible business and during these extraordinary times we need to take unprecedented measures to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and passengers,” he said.


“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my staff for their continuing hard work through this difficult time.


“I would like to reassure them we are taking these difficult decisions now so that we are in a position to recover quickly and get back to generating jobs and economic benefits for the region and wider economy well into the future.”


The measures will remain until airline traffic increases and Government measures such as social distancing are relaxed.
Outside scheduled hours Gatwick’s runway will remain open for emergency landings.


Airport chief Mr Wingate said staff will be offered opportunities to help nearby communities affected by the coronavirus.


“During these extraordinary times, we have also seen remarkable acts of kindness and community spirit in support of people who may need some additional help,” he said.


“To add to this, we will also be providing some opportunities so that any of our staff, who have time during this period of reduced operations, that choose to, can help support people in our local communities.”


Passengers due to fly to or from Gatwick from Wednesday onwards should contact their airline, an airport spokesman said.


The unprecedented measures come as Brits stranded around the world face a race against time to fly home amid border closures.


Hundreds of people in Peru fear being stuck for months after two reported cases of Covid-19 in a hostel meant about 150 tourists were placed into quarantine.


The first Government-chartered British Airways flight from Peru landed in the UK on Thursday morning after an agreement was struck to continue flying.

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