There was an increase in the number of passengers passing through BAA’s UK airports last month, it has been announced.

A total of 8.3 million people passed through the six airports in March 2011, which is a 0.9% rise on the March 2010 figure.

There was a marked improvement at Heathrow and BAA’s three Scottish airports compared to March last year, when numbers were hit by British Airways’ strike action.

Heathrow’s passenger numbers climbed 2.3% during the month compared with last year, while rises were also seen in Aberdeen (8.6%), Edinburgh (7.2%) and Glasgow (2.4%). 

Year-on-year comparisons for April will be harder to gauge as the entire Easter break will fall within the month this year, while last April saw travel crippled by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud crisis.

The royal wedding on April 29 is also likely to lead to an increase in flights this month.

Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport, formerly run by BAA and now operated by US-based investment fund Global Infrastructure Partner, handled 1.4% more passengers last month than in April 2010.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: “Heathrow’s performance is solid, and the growth in traffic at our Scottish airports is encouraging.

“In the UK, consumer confidence remains fragile, affecting airports up and down the country. Continued rises in the price of oil are a concern for airlines and passengers in all our markets.

“While Stansted and Southampton’s traffic performance remains disappointing, both are well placed to benefit from an upturn in leisure travel as the economy improves.”

Copyright © Press Association 2011

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