Gatwick handled a record 46 million passengers in the last 12 months due to 21% growth in long-haul traffic.
The latest annual figures mean that the airport has seen passenger numbers rise by 41% in the last eight years.
At the same time the airport has published its draft master plan, setting out the airport’s vision for growth to the 2030s including bringing its second standby runway into use by the mid-2020s.
The publication of reflects Department for Transport guidance for airports to provide regular updates on their long-term plans, and responds to the government’s recent call for airports to “make best use of their existing runways”.
The airport is encouraging responses to a 12-week public consultation it has launched to gather feedback and views on the draft master plan.
The consultation is live until 5pm on January 10.
All responses will be reviewed before a final version of the master plan is agreed next year.
The new statistics show that long-haul numbers have grown by 21.3% in the last year alone, with the airport also claiming its highest-ever customer satisfaction levels in the passenger survey.
The area in the airport’s noise footprint has reduced by 9% in the last decade despite the number of flights growing by 9%, according to Gatwick.
The reduction has been driven by many new routes being flown by new generation aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo which is up to 50% quieter on departure than current types they are replacing.
Airlines have also been incentivised to modify their current aircraft fleets.
Latest figures show that 97% of the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, which account for half of all of the airport’s flights, have been modified to reduce noise.
The modification was a significant factor in reducing the airport’s noise footprint by 3% in the last full calendar year, according to independent noise analysis by the Civil Aviation Authority, at a time when there was a 3% increase in traffic.
Gatwick estimates around 30% of fleets using the airport will comprise new, quieter aircraft by 2022, 60% by 2027 and 90% by 2032.
CEO Stewart Wingate said: “We are delighted to have welcomed 46 million passengers to Gatwick in the last year which is testament to the hard work and innovation of all staff working at the airport.
“We work hard with our airlines to ensure that the higher passenger numbers using the airport, attracted by new and improved services, are balanced by noise improvements for our local neighbours.
“Our ambition to be the UK’s most sustainable airport has already seen us become the first carbon neutral London airport and also the first airport to achieve zero waste to landfill.
“In response to passenger demand for Gatwick’s global connectivity, we have published the airport’s draft master plan, setting out our vision for growth to the 2030s.
“We are now seeking feedback from the public, including our local neighbours and our airport partners on this draft master plan, as we seek to fulfil our role for the country, in the most sustainable way.”