Gatwick warns demand for flights could take four years to recover from coronavirus impact

Gatwick has warned it could take up to four years for demand for flights to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

The West Sussex airport said it expects post-Covid-19 passenger numbers "will return to recent levels within 36 to 48 months".

It has taken a series of measures "to enable a quick recovery of the business".

These include securing a £300 million loan from a consortium of banks, not paying a dividend this year, temporarily closing one of its two terminals and restricting scheduled flights to a daily eight-hour period.

More than 90% of eligible staff have been furloughed and investment has been deferred.

The majority of passenger aircraft have been grounded due to travel restrictions and a collapse in demand caused by the virus.