UK airports' passenger numbers up

Passenger numbers at UK airports rose 8% in 2004

A total of 217m passengers went through UK airports last year, an 8% rise on 2003, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Passenger numbers at London's five main airports grew by 7%, while traffic at the UK's regional airports grew by 9%.

The fastest growing large regional airport was Newcastle, which saw passenger numbers rise 21% to 4.72m, closely followed by Bristol.

The UK's main airport, London Heathrow, saw numbers rise 3.6% to 67.34m.

Europe traffic rise

More than half the passengers using UK airports last year flew to or from Europe.

Passenger numbers (London airports) London airports London Heathrow up 3.6% to 67.34 million London Gatwick up 5% to 31.46 million London Stansted up 12% to 20.91 million London Luton up 11% to 7.53 million London City up 14% to 1.67 million Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

In total, 122 million people flew to or from Europe, up 7% on the 2003 figure. The fastest growing route was to the Czech Republic, up 59%, or 770,000 passengers, on the 2003 figure.

There were 25 million passengers on UK domestic flights and 21 million going to and from North America, a rise of 9% on 2003.

Despite the rise in passenger numbers, the CAA said traffic between the UK and North America failed to breach pre-September 11 levels.

Passenger numbers on routes to Africa and North America were up by more than a fifth.

Fastest growing large regional airports Newcastle up 21% to 4.72 million Bristol up 19% to 4.64 million Leeds and Bradford up 17% to 2.36 million Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Hard times being encountered by many UK package holiday firms was reflected in the CAA's passenger figures.

The proportion of passengers flying on UK charter carriers was 15.1% last year, its lowest level in the past 20 years.

On the flip side, the proportion of passengers flying on UK scheduled airlines was 50.1% last year, the highest percentage for 20 years.