BAA figures down dramatically in March

BAA is feeling the effects of the economic downturn with passenger numbers to the end of March falling by 11.3% year-on-year across its seven airports.  The knock-on effect will also be felt by not only the air carriers, but by airport retailers and the varied services that go to form part of the travel infrastructure.  Worst hit was Gatwick at 17.7%, its sale at an advanced stage, Stansted 15.9% and 13% at Glasgow.  Heathrow (only) dropped by l 7.5%, a better figure than its European rivals are likely to achieve. The airport actually showed a small increase in air transport movements, an indication of how badly the load factors are doing.  The April date for Easter this year would have played a part in numbers.  Charter traffic fell away by a dramatic 30%.  Leisure holiday makers are turning more and more to the flexible scheduled operations. www.baa.com

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