News & Advice

COVID-19 Travel:

Gatwick airport remains open for essential travel - South Terminal remains closed - all flights operating via North Terminal. The inter-terminal shuttle is non-operational

To travel you must have a valid legal reason (such as for work)

All UK international arrivals must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken up to 72 hours before departure, complete a passenger locator form, and self isolate for 10 days. You must pre-book a testing pack from the UK Government, to take on day 2 and day 8 of your quarantine, of which maybe in an airport Hotel.

Face masks are complusory.

Cophall partnering with APH up to 31st May:

We have arranged everything for you. Simply drive to APH in Copthorne - RH10 3PD. Where their staff will be expecting you as per the time on your booking. If you have parked with Cophall before - it's easy as they share the same bus stops at Gatwick.

Cophall Parking: Due to the unprecedented global situation regarding COVID-19, since 1^st April, most of Cophall Parking staff have been on furlough.

Our Car Park is temporaily closed. Reservation queries / enquiries operating on minimal level.

We also took the unprecedented decision to offer 100% payment credit vouchers for cancelled bookings, booked direct – which are transferable for up to 18 months.
If your booking is through an Agent, please refer to the terms and conditions set on their website.

Cophall Parking has brought in procedure changes for protecting both you the customer and our staff and our Operational changes may include:

We may ask you to remain in your car whilst we ‘check you in’.
We may ask you to load your own luggage on to the bus
We may ask you to park your own car
We do have thermometer checks on staff at start of shifts
We do have all drivers wearing masks
We do ask for all customers to wear masks on the buses
We do have reception screen barriers on Reception desks
We do wipe your keys and car touchable areas with sanitise wipes
We do have social distancing signage around the site
We do have several sanitising stations around the site
We do care about your safety
To implement these changes – please allow extra time

These will be subject to change and reviewed on a weekly basis

We thank you for your understanding and loyalty during these unprecedented times.

Please email in any booking changes to reservations - quoting either booking reference or Car registration

Email: reservations@cophallparking.co.uk

Aviation security measures on all inbound direct flights back in to the UK from the the following countries:

Turkey
Lebanon
Jordan
Egypt
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Under the new arrangements, passengers boarding flights from these countries to the UK will not be allowed to take phones, laptops and tablets and peripheral devices as outlined below that exceed any one of the following dimensions - into the cabin of the plane:

length: 16.0cm
width: 9.3cm
depth: 1.5cm

Passengers with these devices should check with their airlines for more details on transporting these items.

The additional security measures may cause some disruption for passengers and flights.

Direct flights to the UK from these destinations can continue to operate to the UK subject to these new measures being in place. Travellers are advised to keep up-to-date with the latest travel advise and always to check online with their chosen carrier for further information.

Cophall Parking Gatwick - October 2019 - awarded the 'Park Mark' award for another 2 years!!

Congratulations to Cophall Parking Gatwick for yet another successful renewal of their Park Mark® - the Safer Parking Scheme award held since 2010.

Be assured that your vehicle will be stored within a safe environment Why take a chance booking online with a company that does not hold this award? Remember, the cheapest quote does not always pay and it is well known that cars have been left on the street without the customers knowledge."

Gatwick Airport "Approved Operators"

What is the "Approved Operator Scheme"

Cophall Parking Gatwick Ltd pre-qualified for this scheme as we already held both accreditations needed; The 'Park Mark' accreditation from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the British Parking Association (BPA) and also the Trading Standards "Buy with Confidence" award. We also agreed to the terms of the licence agreement set out by Gatwick Airport

The scheme is designed to help ensure your car is parked securely and safely, and also give you as a customer the peace of mind that you can be sure you are parking your vehicle with a reputable company. Only "Approved Operators" are able to access the dedicated areas for the Meet & Greet Services.

Passports

When you are looking into booking your holiday just take a minute to double check your passport expiry date. We have seen it happen where this hasn't been checked and as soon as we drop customers off at the terminal they call us back to collect them as their passport is out of date and they couldn't travel, it is such a horrible thing to happen, make sure it doesn't happen to you!

Don't forget to double check as well that the country you are travelling to doesn't require you to have an entry Visa.

Here are a couple of useful numbers & websites, in case you need them;

DVLA information online at www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Passport Advisory Line: 0300 222 0000
Go to: www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

The Identity and Passport Service: 0300 222 0000
Go to: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/identity-and-passport-service

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO): 020 7008 1500
Go to: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

The FCO offers lots of information and advice for any traveller. They can give you travel advice on safety, security, entry requirements and any health issues. If you are thinking about getting married abroad they can give you advice on that as well.

Airport check-in times

You will need to double check your timings with your individual airline, as each airline has different check-in & gate closure regulations.

The following times give you a general rule;

Long-haul flights: check-in opens 3 - 4 hours before scheduled departure time.
European flights: check-in opens 2 - 3 hours before scheduled departure time.
UK and Ireland flights: check-in opens 2 hours before scheduled departure time.

The minimum restriction of gate closure & bag drop off time is from 40 minutes up to 60 minutes before the scheduled take off time, dependant on destination & airline.

Your flight confirmation documentation or your flight tickets should advise of the appropriate times and we would always recommend allowing extra time just in case!

Alternatively, you may be able to use day-before, self-service or online check-in if you airline operates one, again check with them for details.

Airline baggage allowance

You will need to check with your individual airline as again each airline has different cabin allowance & hold baggage allowance, weight & size restrictions. All the details should be on your flight confirmation documentation.

People with restricted mobility (PRM) at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport has 'PRM' assistance desks in both the North and South terminals.
The Help Desk number at Gatwick Airport is 0844 892 0322 (select option 2).

Most airlines will offer a reduced mobility assistance service and will transport manual wheelchairs free of charge, in addition to the usual luggage allowance and you should be able to pre-book your airport travel assistance through your travel agent, if you book with one.

It is always best to advise your airline if you are taking your own mobility aid such
as a wheelchair or a scooter.

Pregnancy flying guidelines

Again it is best to double check with your airline as they all have different restrictions. Usually, after week 28 of pregnancy, the airline may ask for a letter from your doctor or midwife confirming your due date, and to also confirm that you aren't at risk of complications. Also don't forget to double check the cover of your travel insurance to make sure you have the appropriate cover you require.