London Gatwick became an aerodrome back in the 1930s, but the airport we know today was officially opened on June 9, 1958 by Queen Elizabeth II. And since then we have seen many famous faces come through the terminals including world leaders such as US presidents John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon and Soviet premier Alexei Kosygin and sporting heroes including Muhammad Ali and Leo Messi.
Here are 27 pictures from the archives showing famous faces at London Gatwick airport.
9. Dame Kelly Holmes
LONDON - AUGUST 30: Kelly Holmes of Great Britain shows off her two gold medals to fans as Team GB arrive home from the Greece Olympics 2004 at Gatwick Airport on August 30, 2004 in London. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) Photo: Christopher Lee
10. English airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker
English airline entrepreneur Freddie Laker (1922 - 2006, right) of Laker Airways with his chief pilot, Captain Alan Hellary (1923 - 1992), after the latter touched down at Gatwick Airport with the airline's first McDonnell Douglas DC-10 jet airliner, UK, 12th November 1972. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: Keystone
11. Playboy impresario Hugh Hefner
Playboy impresario Hugh Hefner (1926 - 2017) and his girlfriend, Barbi Benton, arriving at Gatwick Airport, 20th February 1971. (Photo by James Jackson/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: James Jackson
12. German neurologist Ludwig Guttmann (1899 - 1980) leads members of the Britain's team
German neurologist Ludwig Guttmann (1899 - 1980) leads members of the Britain's team, en route to Perth for the '1962 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games', on the passenger gangway at Gatwick Airport, UK, 6th November 1962. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Photo: Hulton Archive