BAA`s seven UK airports handled a total of 10.2 million passengers in November…
BAA`s seven UK airports handled a total of 10.2 million passengers in November, an increase of 3.0% over the same month last year.
All BAA`s airports recorded increased traffic in November. Aberdeen grew 10.9%, Southampton 9.9%, Glasgow 5.6% and Edinburgh 4.5%. Gatwick`s traffic increased 4.6% reflecting healthy growth in scheduled markets which offset a significant decline in charter traffic. Heathrow`s growth of 1.2% reflected the impact on the North Atlantic traffic of the US Presidential election and Thanksgiving and
more generally by fuel surcharges and the reduction in BA`s schedule.
Stansted`s 4.2% growth was slower than in previous months. While EasyJet and other airlines continued to enjoy good growth at Stansted in November, Ryanair`s traffic growth was low. Ryanair is operating its 2004 winter schedule, which started at the end of October, with a net loss of one route compared with its 2003 schedule.
Among the key markets other long haul (non-North Atlantic) traffic grew 9.9%, domestic 4.7% and European scheduled traffic increased 3.2%. The European charter market declined 13.4%, though this was accentuated by a sharp drop of 23% at BAA`s Scottish Airports where a number of leisure destinations have been technically reclassified as scheduled. The underlying decline in the European charter market was 8%. The North Atlantic market was 1.2% down on 2003.
In total, BAA`s airports recorded an increase of 3.2% in air transport movements during the month while cargo tonnage grew 2.3%.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
