Transport Secretary Alistair Darling officially opened the new airline Pier at Gatwick airport this week. The development of the new Gatwick North Pier 6 and its pedestrian link is the largest single building initiative at Gatwick airport North terminal since it's opening in 1988. The new pier will be fully operational by the end of the week. The pier is connected to Gatwick North terminal by a 197m passenger walkway - the largest passenger bridge to pass over an airline taxiway.
The project came in at a cost of £110 million and enables Gatwick Airport passengers to be served by 11 extra boarding gates with aircraft stands - passengers will no longer need to go outside to board the aircraft.
The pier stand boarding is reckoned to save around 55,000 transfer-bus journeys a year.
BA will be the first airline to use the stands. The new building will provide all the modern shops and amenities.