Gatwick's world-beating air passenger bridge opens

Published: May 16, 2005

The largest air passenger bridge in the world was opened today at BAA's Gatwick Airport. The 197m-long structure spans a busy aircraft taxiway to link the airport's north terminal with a new pier satellite building. Arup was lead designer and the concept architect was Wilkinson Eyre.

There is enough clearance under the bridge for the largest commercial aircraft in service - a Boeing 747-400 - to pass underneath. The 2,700t elongated glass structure is glazed from floor to roof and sits upon three-dimensional Y-shaped stilts with a curve at its highest point. The curved upper section has been designed to provide the structural depth needed, whilst maintaining a sense of fluidity and transparency. The main structural spine is contained entirely within the envelope to minimise maintenance.

Mace was the principal contractor and construction manager. The steelwork was by Watson Steel/Fagoli while Schmidlin and Prater were responsible for the envelope. Concrete work was by Laing O'Rourke.

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