London's second airport has gone a long way towards shedding its old dependence on the leisure/charter business. It is now established as a major international hub and its owners BAA are currently investing more than GBP£100 million (USD$160 million) in the airport.

It hasn't completely shrugged off the sun 'n sand image but there is a growing network of scheduled services and business travelers now make up over a quarter of Gatwick's passengers. Their rising influence is being catered for by the introduction of a variety of fast track business facilities.

Although Gatwick is located 28 miles (45km) south of London it has fast rail and convenient road links and is a much easier place to navigate than its sprawling sister Heathrow.

Facilities at its two terminals - North and South - are good, particularly for those who count shopping as part of the travel experience but its growing popularity is also Gatwick's biggest problem. Now with over 31 million passengers each year it operates all flights from a single runway and is crying out for more capacity.

Gatwick has held the unwanted position as the UK's worst airport for delays, with charter traffic hold-ups averaging 46 minutes. A second runway is needed but that will prove difficult to negotiate in these environmentally-conscious times.