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MAG chief hits out at French ATC strikes
MAG airports reported continued growth in May 2016, with passenger numbers up by 5.6% over May 2015.
Its two biggest airports, Manchester and London Stansted, grew by 7.2% and 4.6% respectively year-on-year.
This was despite two strikes by French ATC workers in the month which resulted in the cancellation of 26 flights
Speaking as French ATC walked out for the ninth time in three months, MAG CEO Charlie Cornish said: "Industrial action in France is having an unacceptable impact on travellers using our airports.
"Just the additional delays in May cost airlines and passengers at MAG airports about half a million pounds. But this was the 50th such event over the last seven years, so across UK airports as a whole this adds up to considerable hassle and extra cost for airlines, airports and passengers.
"European airports operate in a complex network which means this avoidable disruption in France has significant knock-on effects to operations everywhere else.
"Ahead of what is set to be the busiest summer on record for UK airports, it is vital that European and national agencies work together to find ways to reduce the impact of strike on passengers and airlines."
At Manchester, traffic is up 7.2% year on year with alternative destinations to Egypt, Turkey and North Africa showing the greatest growth. Travel to Madeira is up 49%, Cape Verde is up 40%, Malta is up 33%, France 27%, Bulgaria 25%, Canary Islands 23%, the rest of Spain 22%, the Dominican Republic 22%, Croatia 20% and Portugal 18%.
Stansted saw its 26th consecutive month of YoY passenger growth and in the 12 months ending in May the total number of passengers using Stansted grew to over 23.3 million, an increase of 9.3% over the previous year and the highest annual total since July 2008.
East Midlands Airport posted a 4.5% increase in passengers YoY, driven by growth in travel to Spain (4%) and the Canary Islands (11.4%).
Bournemouth Airport~saw a small drop in passenger figures but core sun destinations all saw passenger number rise.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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