BAA has reported a 3.4% rise in the number of passengers through its airport in the month of October, compared to the same time last year. Some 9.75 million passengers passed through BAA airports during the month, which the airport operator, which owns Heathrow and Stansted, says is due to an increase in business travellers for the rise.
Cargo traffic was also strong, with a 12.5% rise in tonnage handled.
Traffic at Heathrow rose 7.2% last month to just under 6.01 million. Edinburgh saw a rise of 3.5%, while Southampton rose 1.0%. Elsewhere the numbers were not as positive. Glasgow numbers fell 7.4%, with Aberdeen down 5% and Stansted traffic dipping 3.1%.
Asia traffic helped to boost number, with BAA reporting long-haul trips between Heathrow and China and Hong Kong up 16.1%, while long-haul journeys between all six BAA airports and North America increased 7.5%.
“Passenger growth is good for the economy with thousands of people across the country employed in aviation, international trade and tourism,” says Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA. “We are continuing with our £5 billion Heathrow investment programme – the biggest private investment project in the UK – providing thousands of jobs as we modernise facilities to improve everyone’s experience of the airport.
“The continued strength of Heathrow reflects an upturn in global economic activity. Low sterling and interest rates make the UK a competitive place to do business.
“However, Government spending cuts, a sharp increase in air passenger duty and an imminent VAT rise are weakening the prospects for inbound tourism and British leisure travel.”