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Passenger numbers are still dropping says BAA
09.10.09
There is no sign yet of a recovery in the airline industry, latest figures show.
BAA, whose airports handle the vast majority of UK air passengers, said today the number of people going through its terminals fell 2.6% last month while the number of flights dived by 5%.
The biggest slump, a fall of 12% year on year, was at Stansted, London's third airport, which has created outrage in Essex and Hertfordshire over plans to expand capacity by building a second runway.
At Heathrow, where British Airways has been leading a campaign to build a third runway, passenger numbers continue to fall, down 0.3% in September and off 2.6% over the past 12 months at 65 million.
“Conditions remain challenging for the industry,” said BAA chief executive Colin Matthews.
Up-for-sale Gatwick is still losing passengers as well, off 0.5% in September, though that is better than of late. Over the past 12 months Gatwick passenger numbers have fallen 8.4% to 32 million. Matthews said the outlook for Gatwick has improved because of growth in domestic and European scheduled services.
Reports from Madrid are suggesting BAA's Spanish owner Ferrovial may be close to a sale of Gatwick. The Credit Suisse and General Electric consortium is said to have made a €1.8 billion (£1.65 billion) bid.
Reader views (10)
I have a feeling of schadenfreude about this following an episode in March in which I was not allowed to board my plane because I complained to the person searching me that he was touching me up. BAA's initial disgraceful treatment of an orderly paying passenger was then compounded by their dishonest evasions and downright fabrications when I subsequently tried to complain. If the customer is always wrong they deserve to have their monopoly broken and to suffer business losses. I am not sure I can be bothered to sue them but it would be nice.
- Andrew, Hong Kong
Yes, let's all rejoice the commercial aviation industry is suffering and many jobs have been and are likely to be lost and a major revenue stream, into the already depressed economy, is being substantially reduced.
Despite the continuous moans at unfair and/or hidden charges, in real terms, the average cost of air travel has actually come down significantly in the past few years. That being said the likes of Ryanair are pretty awful airlines to fly with and I'd much rather pay a bit more to fly with a decent airline.
As for shifting large air passenger numbers onto very fast trains across Europe, that sounds fine in theory, but for now would have to remain a pipe dream as it would many years if not decades to complete and would require an colossal amount of investment to make it a reality - highly unlikely given the huge debts governments across Europe have built up.
- Paul, London, UK
air travel is a tedious bore I'd rather not jump on a plane if I don't have to.
- Goggs, London
It can be no real surprise that Stansted's passenger numbers are falling when that airport's biggest airline by passenger numbers was the truly appalling Ryanair. People may have fallen for Ryanair once or twice but having experienced the full horror of their utter contempt for their customers are no doubt voting with their feet and travelling in other ways, almost anything else is a better way to travel than Ryanair.
- Matthew, London, UK
You can't wonder at it. Passengers are treated like unruly cattle at airports and then crammed into ageing aircraft before being disgorged into another crowded airport, where they will wait hopefully for their luggage to arrive in a reasonable time. If they are REALLY unlucky, they will be fed during the trip too. On top of all this, the passengers are taxed half to death for the privilege.
- Alan., McLean, Texas, USA
It would help if they could understand the Law of diminishing returns instead of "ripping off" the customer at every opportunity.
- Linzi, Largo, USA
Is this due to the recession or climate change? Or, is it just due to the corresponding headlines of a baby boom? I know that having young children certainly stopped us flying due to the cost and the hassle.
- Annie, london
BAA just don't get it...air travel is now an unpleasant experience and until that changes-if ever, as jet 'planes are the fastest growing source of climate change-airport expansion should be kicked into touch.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
There is a great opportunity to shift large numbers of passengers away from air travel onto fast trains connecting London with major European cities. Air travel is now tedious with intrusive security and unfair hidden charges.
- Simon Ellis, London
great news no need for airport expansion then ive noticed its so much quieter in the evenings now lovley.havent flown now for 8 years dont miss it one bit.theres so much here to see and do.
- C May, biggin hill
