The number of passengers using BAA’s UK airports hit a record of more than 15 million in July.
The figure was up by 3.1% over the same month last year and represented the most passengers to pass through the seven airports in a single month.
Long haul and European scheduled traffic were the best performers, up 8.4% and 7.4% respectively. North Atlantic traffic grew by a more modest 0.2% while India proved to be the fastest growing market, up 50%.
By contrast European charter traffic declined by almost 6% while UK domestic numbers were down by 1.9% due to a drop in seat capacity.
Stansted achieved the highest gain in passenger numbers, showing a 9.9% rise year-on-year to 2.3 million, with Gatwick up 4.1% to 3.7 million and Heathrow by 1.2% to 6.5 million.
Glasgow suffering a 1.8% decline due to a drop in its large level of charter traffic and additional competition from Edinburgh airport for US traffic. Edinburgh recorded a 2% rise, Aberdeen 6.6% and Southampton 1.2%.
The total number of aircraft movements across the seven airports was up by 0.7% to 115,430 in the month.
Report by Phil Davies
