London bombings affect air traffic

BAA has reported a 2.6% increase in UK airport traffic figures in July, compared with last year, with its seven airports handling a record 14.6 million passengers last month.

However, the airport operator said that the London bombings on July 7 had affected the increase.

BAA reported recorded gains in all markets, except the European Charter market, where traffic continued to decline, falling by 5.5%.

However, North Atlantic traffic increased by 1% and other long haul traffic increased by 7.5%, while Irish traffic rose by 8% and domestic traffic increased by 1.4%.

Southampton airport, which benefited from an expanded range of low cost scheduled services, reported the biggest increase in traffic of 30.8%.

Rate of growth at BAA’s London airports was affected by the London bombings, with Heathrow, which also suffered from capacity restraints in July, reporting a 0.6% decline in traffic.

However, Gatwick and Stansted registered increases of 3.3% and 6.1%, respectively.

Commenting on the figures, Paul Griffiths, Managing Director, BAA Gatwick, said: “July is always a busy month for everyone at Gatwick Airport as summer season begins. Our new team of Welcome Hosts have been on site every day looking after the 115,000 passengers who have been travelling through Gatwick daily. We also achieved another milestone with the opening of our new baggage facility in the South Terminal, making the journey through Gatwick easy and quick for all our travellers.”

BAA’s Scottish airports also reported a 5.8% increase, while Aberdeen recorded the busiest month in its history. Aberdeen Airport handled 276,028 passengers during July, an increase of 8.1% from the previous year.

Aberdeen Airport Managing Director Andy Flower said: “Aberdeen has continued to grow throughout the year and July was no exception. Passenger demand has never been greater, with the result that record numbers are now using our airport, many of them inbound tourists using Aberdeen Airport as a gateway to the northeast. The success of the airport in attracting visitors to Aberdeen is clearly paying dividends for the region’s economy and tourism industry.”

BAA also reported that air transport movements increased by 3.9% compared to the previous year, while cargo volumes fell by 2.7%.

(KMcA)