BAA sets record for July
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
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled