Eastern Europe traffic doubles in 2004
London’s airports handled a record number of passengers last year, with Eastern Europe as the fastest growing destination for UK passengers.
According to CAA UK airports handled 217 million passengers in 2004, up over 8% year-on-year.
London’s airports reached 129 million at the five main airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, up 7% year-on-year. The biggest increases were at Heathrow, up by 3.6 million, and Stansted, up by 2.2 million.
The fastest growing regional airports were Newcastle, Bristol and Leeds Bradford.
According to CAA, between 1987 and 2004 passenger numbers doubled at London airports and tripled at regional airports.
Europe continues to be the most popular destinations for UK airport passengers, with significant increases in 2004 of travel to Eastern Europe, up by 97% from 2003.
Charter carriers continue to lose their share of the UK market – the number of passengers traveling by charter aircraft reached its lowest level in 20 years in 2004, while the proportion of passengers at UK airports flying on UK scheduled airlines reached just over 50% in 2004, its highest in 20 years.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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