Airport passenger numbers up 15%

Major UK airports handled 15% more traffic last month compared with April 2003 when numbers were hit by the Iraq War and the Sars outbreak, it was announced today.

The seven airports run by BAA handled 11.4 million passengers in April 2004, with Heathrow numbers up 14.9% and Gatwick increasing 8.4%.

Stansted airport in Essex enjoyed a 33.9% rise last month compared with April 2003, while Southampton did even better, increasing 36.3%.

The company’s three Scottish airports also recorded rises – with Edinburgh up 9.4%, Glasgow up 7.0% and Aberdeen up 6.2%.

The recovery after the Iraq War and the Sars crisis was most reflected in the long-haul journey sector. North Atlantic passenger numbers rose 18.6% last month, while other long-haul traffic was up 27.5%.

The growth of low-fare airlines helped European scheduled route traffic to increase 19.4% last month, while domestic traffic was up 6.5% and Irish numbers grew 5.0%.

Only European charter traffic lagged behind – recording a 3.4% fall.