About GATCOM

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Chairman's Annual Review 2009/2010

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Background

GATWICK is the second largest UK airport currently handling around 32.5 million passengers per annum.

Like all airports, Gatwick affects people's lives in many different ways. On the one hand it offers a wide range of jobs and brings economic benefits and prosperity to the area. But on the other hand it can cause a number of problems and concerns to local communities, particularly on issues such as aircraft noise both in the air and on the ground, pollution, development demands, traffic and parking. Also, the traveller's experience of the airport, as well as the needs of the airlines, are very important elements in the consideration of the airport's future.

The purpose of GATCOM is to advise the Airport's Chief Executive and his management team about issues which concern the local communities, travellers, businesses and other users of the airport and to stimulate interest both within the airport community and local people. Seeking a balance between these wide and conflicting interests is a challenging role. Our primary objective is to ensure the future success of Gatwick providing high quality services to passengers and airlines, having particular regard to the impact this has on the surrounding communities.

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How does GATCOM work?

GATCOM was established in 1956. It is a statutory advisory body constituted by Gatwick Airport Limited in accordance with the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (as amended by the Airports Act 1986). GATCOM does not however have any powers to enforce or impose its recommendations. Even though it is purely an advisory body, it exercises a considerable degree of influence. Its effectiveness depends entirely upon its powers of persuasion and on the goodwill of all those involved.

It has 28 appointed representatives from a wide range of interests including local authorities, civil aviation, passenger, business, tourism and community and environmental groups. A Government representative is also present at the main Committee meetings, together with Gatwick Airport Limited's Chief Executive and his senior management team.

GATCOM meets four times a year and considers issues and questions in connection with the operation and development of Gatwick and its affect on local communities, passengers, airlines and other users of the airport.

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Sub-Groups

GATCOM has two Sub-Groups

The Gatcom Steering Group - the Steering Group is composed of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and ten other members of GATCOM reflecting the composition of interests of the main Committee. The role of the Steering Group is to give preliminary consideration to new or detailed matters to be dealt with by the Consultative Committee and to identify the facts and major issues, and make recommendations thereon. The Steering Group also deals with urgent matters on behalf of GATCOM.
The Passenger Advisory Group - the role of the Group is:

To monitor the procedures and facilities available to passengers and to make recommendations for their improvement.

To identify any issues arising from passenger experiences and make recommendations.

To identify any gaps in services available to passengers.

To consider procedures for handling and responding to passenger complaints.

To provide a passenger overview on airport developments at the design stage.

To establish and maintain a positive working relationship with relevant Gatwick Airport Limited managers and airline contacts, including consultation in respect of key developments for passenger services and facilities.

To report regularly to GATCOM and to make recommendations in respect of its conclusions and concerns about the provision of passenger facilities and service quality at Gatwick

GATCOM also has representatives on Gatwick Airport Limited's Noise and Track Monitoring Advisory Group (NATMAG) and the newly established Ground Noise Committee.

There is more information on our Sub-Groups page

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