Gatwick Airport is bringing together a panel of independent experts to help shine a light on passenger travel challenges and to tackle long-standing issues head on. The Airport Passenger Panel will meet to discuss current airport experiences and explore how different types of passengers really think, feel and act as they arrive, experience and leave an airport, both before and after their trip.
Their honest and unbiased picture of airport life, combined with informed recommendations will enable Gatwick – and other UK airports – to devise customer-orientated solutions designed to ultimately deliver a better experience for all travellers.
Five inaugural panel members have been selected to represent different traveller groups:
Leisure Travellers: John Carter – one of the founders and original reporters of the BBC’s Holiday programme when it was launched in 1969 and later co presented Thames Television’s Wish You Were Here…?.
Business Travellers: Mike Toynbee – Managing Editor at Buying Business Travel. He edited Executive Travel magazine for 18 years, and is a former editor of Travel Trade Gazette.
Families: Becky Wiggins – a well-known mummy blogger with in excess of 18,000 unique visitors per month on her blog ‘English Mum’.
Shoppers: Jasmine Birtles – founder of moneymagpie.com and a self-confessed shopping expert.
Passengers with Disabilities: Philippa Bromley – Head of Independent Living at the UK Disabled Living Foundation.
Gatwick Airport’s Chief Executive, Stewart Wingate, said: “In bringing together the Airport Passenger Panel our mission is simple: to improve the experience for every passenger. Passengers are the lifeblood of any airport and our position as an independent airport allows us to take a new approach to solving long-standing issues. We are 100% committed to making sure that from the moment passengers step though our doors to the moment they leave, their time is as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.
“By seeking independent opinion and advice, without influence from political or commercial agendas, we will be able to continue identifying the real issues affecting passengers from across the UK and across all traveller groups. Collectively we will explore and execute innovative solutions that will help build a better future for all travellers.”
