GATWICK Airport should look to bring in more business passengers to boost trade, according to more than half of local businesses.

The Gatwick Diamond Initiative, a business-led economic partnership, conducted a survey of businesses in the region, which found 69 per cent believe the airport is important to their business, but 58 per cent believe it should look to increase business passengers over leisure.

Roderick Wheeler, of Initiative member Clockhouse Marketing Ltd, said: "Surely the yield to the airport is higher from a business passenger who is spending more on his seat, transportation etcetera?"

"Business traffic is also less seasonal providing a steady growth in all-year revenue."

With long haul flights to the airport expected to increase, businesses selected China (87.5 per cent) and India (72.5 per cent) as their favoured destinations which would benefit the local economy.

Of those surveyed, 48 per cent anticipated a need to consolidate and reduce business costs within the next six months, with it likely to occur in staffing levels.