London Heathrow Enjoys Busy Month

London’s Heathrow airport enjoyed its third-busiest month last month, despite the global economic crisis which has hit the airline industry.

The airport, UK’s largest, saw an increase of passenger numbers of almost 6.5 million, up 0.9% last year.

BAA said the decline in passenger numbers has stabilised at all seven airports

An increase in long-haul traffic has helped carry 14.5 million passengers, down 2.4% in July last year.

Overseas scheduled travel to Europe was up by 1.2%, but passengers between the UK and North America slipped by 8%.  Domestic traffic was also lower by 4.8%, and European charters were down by almost 20%.  However an increase was record on long-haul flights to Non-Atlantic destinations, which had grown by 4.8%.

The BAA said that the increase in passenger numbers at Heathrow was part of a trend of improved figures at the airport, meanwhile the company had benefitted from an increase of passengers at British Airways.

Heathrow is the UK’s only hub airport and has shown some resilience through the downturn, as passengers continue to fly into the airport before connecting to other destinations.

Thanks to BBC news for the above quotes.  For more information visit their website.