Gatwick profit trebles after new Asian routes

New routes to Russia, Korea and China helped Gatwick Airport fly almost 20 million passengers in the six months to October, and pre-tax profit more than trebled to £107.2m.

The airport, which is the world's busiest single-runway base, said it saw the number of fliers passing through its baggage halls rise by 230,000 to 19.9 million in the half year, with most of the surge from European budget carriers and Asian airlines serving Beijing, Seoul and Vietnam.

While passenger numbers in July and early August were hit by Britons staying put for the Olympics, the traffic came back afterwards as people booked post-Games holidays. Passengers also spent more at Gatwick's shops.