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Britain's airline recession is entering its second winter with passenger numbers still falling, latest figures show.
The number going through BAA's airports fell by 1.4% in October, the 19th-consecutive monthly drop.
That means BAA's airports, led by Heathrow, the recently sold Gatwick and Stansted, have lost more than 200,000 passengers a week over the last two years.
BAA, however, is seeing some sunlight on the horizon.
It said the monthly fall was the smallest since June 2008 and is a big improvement from the 12.5% decrease recorded last winter.
It said Britain's biggest airport, Heathrow, grew by 1% in the month while Gatwick reported its first growth in 18 months.
But that was offset by another big plunge at Stansted, London's third-largest airport, which saw a year-on-year fall of 10%.
While Edinburgh has been growing this year, there were also significant falls at Glasgow, Southampton and Aberdeen.
“The outlook remains difficult,” said BAA chief executive Colin Matthews.
Reader views (2)
First we have the airport tax, the long haul, short haul, luggage and seat tax. Then we need to get to the airport, Stanstead has the M11 a motorway closed in both directions by the police so often now its almost become a permanent feature. Getting to Heathrow is a mess,the airport a joke and you have to keep your fingers crossed to get your bags back. Gatwick is south of the river, no need to say anymore about that one. Its a miracle people fly.
- Mr S.Port, London, 10/11/2009 22:56
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My wife and I used these airports a lot in the past but nowadays, the air fares and other charges are beyond us so its the train to th ferry terminals to Ireland and France.
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 10/11/2009 13:30
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