Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major inaugurated the new extension to Gatwick airport, which he described as the “front door of the UK”.

Sir John said for visitors to Britain, their first impressions of the country were shaped by what they saw and experienced when they land.

In recent months, Gatwick has established the first direct air link between Britain and Vietnam, while new routes have been opened to Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and China. More new routes will follow, he added.

Gatwick will continue to compete with our EU neighbours and the rising challenge from the new markets of Greater Asia.

The extension is part of Gatwick’s plan for the terminal to accommodate 20 million passengers a year by 2020.

There are 18 new check-in desks taking the total to 144, of which 70 are self-service. There are also four new luggage reclaim belts, three for international flights and one for domestic.