Cardiff Airport saw biggest decline in passengers during pandemic
Cardiff was the airport hardest hit due to the Covid travel slump last year. It suffered a massive 87% decline in passenger traffic in 2020.
It went from 1.6 million travellers in 2019 to less than 220,000. Overall, Britain and Northern Ireland saw a decline in 223 million passenger trips last year.
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) said the figures highlighted the ‘devastating impact’ the Covid-19 pandemic has on the industry.
Glasgow Prestwick and Exeter airports were also hard hit with both seeing declines in passengers above 85%.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers