Flying to London for Business or Pleasure

Flying to London for Business or Pleasure
By : ANDREW REGAN

London has such an incredible amount to offer it’s no wonder that over 10 million people choose to live either in London or the surrounding areas, and it’s estimated that over 25 million people visit London each and every year for work and tourism. With so many flights landing in this vibrant city every day, it’s no surprise that there are a number of airports serving it.

Heathrow International Airport is the largest airport in the U.K. and is also Europe’s busiest for passenger traffic, carrying approximately 67 million passengers every year. The airport has two runways and five terminals, the newest being officially opened in March 2008 by Queen Elizabeth II. The vast area it covers it close to five square miles which gives you an idea of the sheer scale of this facility. The current site was first used as a military airfield during the First World War and has evolved throughout the decades since to become the incredibly large transport hub that we know today.

Gatwick is second to Heathrow in terms of both size and traffic. With flights to around 200 destinations, Gatwick handles around just over half the number of passengers per year that Heathrow does. Officially opened for use on 9th June 1958 - again by Queen Elizabeth II - Gatwick is celebrating 50 years of flights in 2008. Just like its larger counterpart, Gatwick Airport is used by many international airlines that fly to and from destinations all over the globe, so while it may not have the considerable stature of Heathrow, it still plays a vital and very important role in transporting people in and out of London.

As the only airport actually in London itself, London City Airport serves over thirty European destinations and has only been in commercial use since 1987. It’s a very popular airport with city workers and leisure travellers alike and has grown considerably since it was set up. In 2007 passenger numbers reached almost 3 million, a considerable rise from the 133,000 who used it during its first full year of operation in 1988. The location of the airport means that flight paths are very carefully mapped out and restrictions have had to be put in place for the heights of any new skyscrapers in the vicinity. With the 2012 Olympic Games scheduled to be held in London in 2012, the popularity of London City Airport is set to continue to rise in future years.

When you’re looking for flights to London you won’t be short of options with these three airports and whether the purpose of your trip is business or sightseeing, you’ll benefit from a range of transport options to take you into the heart of the action. Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
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