Winter-ready: London Gatwick boosts resilience with upgraded fleet and specialist training

London Gatwick says it is ready for winter, whatever the weather brings.

Following months of planning, training and investment in an upgraded vehicle fleet, the airport is prepared to keep flights operating safely and on time throughout the winter season. The work forms part of Gatwick’s £17 million, six-year winter resilience programme.

Airfield teams have carried out detailed operational rehearsals behind the scenes. These have included live exercises and runway clearance drills designed to improve coordination and ensure effective de-icing and snow clearance across runways, taxiways and aircraft stands.

More than 5,000 hours of winter operations training have been completed this year. This includes four days of classroom-based learning and hands-on equipment training, along with refresher courses. The training is intended to ensure teams are fully prepared to keep the airfield running efficiently during snow, ice or fog.

Over 450 colleagues support Gatwick’s winter operations across airfield, engineering and fire service teams. This includes 180 volunteers known as “Polar Bears”, who are trained to operate snow-clearance vehicles, and 50 landside “Yetis”, who are responsible for gritting and clearing 27 miles of airport roads, car parks and transport routes to help keep passengers safe.

As the world’s most efficient single-runway airport, London Gatwick operates 75 dedicated airside winter vehicles, including snow ploughs, sweepers, multihogs, tractors and de-icing equipment. These are supported by a full fleet of landside gritters and clearance machinery.

The airport has further strengthened its winter capability with the addition of six new Compact Jet Sweepers and two electric de-icers. These provide faster clearance times, improved manoeuvrability and advanced ploughing technology that leaves runway surfaces drier.

Mark Johnston, Chief Operating Officer at London Gatwick, said winter weather can present unpredictable challenges for the aviation industry, with safety and operational efficiency remaining the airport’s top priorities. He said that careful planning, extensive training and close collaboration with airline partners and ground handling agents help ensure passengers can travel with confidence, even during the busiest and most challenging periods of the season.

London Gatwick manages its winter readiness programme in-house, allowing for rapid response and full operational control. In partnership with the Met Office, the airport activates a dedicated on-call team when snow or severe weather is forecast. Around 200 colleagues are placed on standby in line with detailed procedures set out in the airport’s adverse weather plan.

This winter, passengers flying from London Gatwick can choose from more than 220 destinations served by 60 airlines, including ski routes, Christmas market city breaks and winter sun destinations.