International flights from the UK plunged over two-thirds in 2021
Just 406,060 international flights operated from the UK this year, down 71% on the pre-pandemic period of 2019, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
In 2019 there were 1,399,170 flights out of the UK.
The largest international route in 2021 from the UK was London Heathrow to New York’s JFK, despite the US only reopening their borders in November.
Five airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and newcomer JetBlue, flew a total of over 2,410 flights on the route this year.
Flights operating in the Common Travel Area showed strong recovery in 2021, as arrivals into the UK faced no testing or quarantine mandates.
Two UK to Dublin routes feature in the top 10 of all international routes from the UK, including London Heathrow and London Gatwick to Dublin.
Of the busiest routes from the UK this year, nine departed from London Heathrow and one departed from London Gatwick.
Unsurprisingly, London Heathrow saw the most flights, with over 78,820 being recorded in 2021. Next was London Stansted with 32,070 flights, followed by Manchester (29,690 flights), London Gatwick (25,960), and London Luton (19,770).
Airlines serving short-haul markets fared better in 2021, with eight European routes featuring in the top 10.
London Heathrow to Amsterdam, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt came in third, fourth and fifth place respectively.
Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, said: "Cirium’s On-Time Performance Report reveals a dramatic 71% fall in international flights to and from the UK during 2021".
"Cirium analysis shows UK domestic flights have fared better with a lower reduction of 60%, as the pent-up demand for restriction free flying returns – led by leisure travel, and followed by the more cautious recovery of business travel."
Loganair was the largest airline for domestic flights with approximately 32,830 services in 2021.
This was followed by easyJet (32,800) and British Airways (15,390).
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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.
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