Gatwick Airport announces winner of its Oldest Traveller competition
2012-08-27 — /travelprnews.com/ — Gatwick Airport today announces 101 year old Fauja Singh the winner of its nationwide search for the UK’s Oldest Traveller which was set up to help highlight how accessible airport travel can be for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM).
Singh is an age-defying marathon runner who travels the world to compete in races and is known as the “Turbaned Tornado”. Singh has lived in Britain since 1992, received his letter from the Queen on reaching 100 last year and, just a few weeks ago, on 21st July, he carried the Olympic Flame through The London Borough of Newham.
Courtesy of British Airways and Vdara, Singh has won two return flights to Las Vegas with British Airways from London Gatwick as well as three nights’ accommodation at the 5* Vdara Hotel & Spa.
Singh, who only speaks Punjabi, said through his coach and translator Harmander Singh: “One of the most precious things in life to me is being able to see the world and have new experiences and I don’t plan to give up anytime soon so it’s great to see that Gatwick is encouraging others to do the same. My favourite travel experiences are those which have involved running a marathon. I have never been to Las Vegas but believe there is marathon there in December!”
In October last year, aged 100, Singh completed Toronto’s Scotiabank Waterfront marathon becoming the first centenarian to finish a run of that distance. In April 2012, he went on to complete the London Marathon in 7 hours, 49 minutes, at the age of 101. He has accomplished nine marathons since he began competing aged 89.
Standing five foot eight inches tall and weighing about 115 pounds, Singh attributes his health and fitness to his diet of tea, toast and curry and his routine of up to 10 miles of jogging or walking each day.
Gatwick Airport’s Head of Terminal Operations, Paul Fitch, comments: “We were thrilled to see from our search that so many people are continuing to travel later in life – and at 101, Fauja Singh is truly an inspiration for travellers around the world! We hope that through our ongoing improvements to Gatwick’s services and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility we can help more people to travel and realise their dreams, even if they are not quite as spritely as Mr Singh!
“At Gatwick we provide assistance to approximately 30,000 passengers a month, rising to around 47,000 at peak periods, and are committed to providing support and special assistance at every step of the airport journey – whether that is through customised transport, dedicated seating, or our specially trained staff. If you require assistance during your journey, we encourage you to inform your airline or travel agent ahead of time so that we’re all prepped and ready for you – and suggest visiting www.gatwickairport.com/prm for more details on the help that’s available.”
Silla Maizey, Managing Director, British Airways Gatwick, commented:”We are delighted to present Fauja Singh with a holiday for two to Las Vegas which includes non-stop flights on our new London Gatwick service launching in October. We wish him a wonderful time in this exciting city that is perfect for travellers of any age.”
Notes to Editors
About Gatwick Airport’s PRM facilities
To help ensure passengers with reduced mobility have an airport experience that is as comfortable and convenient as possible, over the past two years, Gatwick Airport has invested around £2 million in new and improved services including:
- Six new Ford Transit PRM Ambulance minibuses
- 100 new wheelchairs and 36 new buggies for older travellers and passengers with walking difficulties
- Ten new ‘Columbia’ aisle chairs, five new Ambi-lifts to transport passengers onto the aircraft and a “Pro-Move” Sling for assisting paraplegic/quadriplegic passengers on and off aircraft, and there are lifts throughout the airport journey to make travel more accessible Audio-visual information systems to help the deaf, hard of hearing and vision impaired passengers
- Dedicated seating areas throughout the airport for reduced mobility passengers
- Clearer signage and passenger information for passengers with learning disabilities
- New and improved dedicated Reception Lounges in both terminals
- Dedicated assistance lanes in security and the immigration halls in both terminals plus a dedicated meet and greet area in the South Terminal ‘Spa-like’ toilets for the disabled in the new South Terminal arrivals area
Coming Up
Throughout 2012, Gatwick will continue to invest in its PRM services with the following enhancements already in progress:
- A dedicated meet and greet area in the North Terminal forecourt to match the one in the South Terminal
- Eight new video-link help points
- Upgrading 20 Help Points around both terminals
- Introducing DDA compliant seating in every area, including all gate rooms
- Upgrading the dedicated Reception Lounges in the arrivals halls in both terminals
- Introducing adult changing and shower facilities in both terminals
- Further improvements in way-finding
For more information contact:
Gatwick Airport press office
t: + 44 (0) 1293 505000
e: gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com
About Gatwick Airport
Gatwick Airport is the UK’s second largest airport and the busiest single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for around 34 million passengers a year on short- and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South-East region, generating around 23,000 on-airport jobs and a further 13,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is 28 miles south of London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.
Media enquiries to
GATWICK AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE
+ 44 (0) 1293 505000
gatwickmedia@gatwickairport.com
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Fauja Singh, the winner of Gatwick Airport’s UK’s oldest traveller competition, arrives at Gatwick’s North Terminal