This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8566998.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Record fall in UK air passengers Record fall in UK air passengers
(about 23 hours later)
UK airports have suffered their biggest decline in passenger numbers since records began at the end of WWII.UK airports have suffered their biggest decline in passenger numbers since records began at the end of WWII.
They handled 216.8m passengers last year - 7.4% fewer than in 2008 - the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.They handled 216.8m passengers last year - 7.4% fewer than in 2008 - the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
The recession in 2008 and 2009 represented the first time that passenger numbers had fallen for two successive years, CAA figures showed.The recession in 2008 and 2009 represented the first time that passenger numbers had fallen for two successive years, CAA figures showed.
CAA economic regulation director Harry Bush said the numbers would "rebound" but the pace of recovery was uncertain.CAA economic regulation director Harry Bush said the numbers would "rebound" but the pace of recovery was uncertain.
He said the large decline highlighted the "enormous impact the recession has had on the aviation industry.He said the large decline highlighted the "enormous impact the recession has had on the aviation industry.
"Passenger numbers are now back to the level they were six years ago."Passenger numbers are now back to the level they were six years ago.
"Although they will certainly rebound, the pace of recovery is uncertain and it could be a number of years before they reach their peak level again," he said."Although they will certainly rebound, the pace of recovery is uncertain and it could be a number of years before they reach their peak level again," he said.
Heathrow decline lowestHeathrow decline lowest
Charter airline numbers saw the biggest drop - a fall of 17% - while UK domestic flight traffic was down by 8% and scheduled airline traffic fell 6%.Charter airline numbers saw the biggest drop - a fall of 17% - while UK domestic flight traffic was down by 8% and scheduled airline traffic fell 6%.
Much of the overall passenger decrease came in the first part of 2009, with numbers down 12.5% in the January-March quarter.Much of the overall passenger decrease came in the first part of 2009, with numbers down 12.5% in the January-March quarter.
The decline in the final three months of last year was only 3.8% compared with October-December 2008.The decline in the final three months of last year was only 3.8% compared with October-December 2008.
The decline at five airports in the London area airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City - was 4.9% overall. The decline at five airports in the London area - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City - was 4.9% overall.
The largest declines were at London City (14.2%), Stansted (10.7%) and Luton (10.4%).The largest declines were at London City (14.2%), Stansted (10.7%) and Luton (10.4%).
Heathrow had the smallest decline among London airports, handling 66m passengers in 2009 - just 1.5% fewer than in 2008.Heathrow had the smallest decline among London airports, handling 66m passengers in 2009 - just 1.5% fewer than in 2008.
Gatwick handled 32m passengers - a 5.3% fall on 2008.Gatwick handled 32m passengers - a 5.3% fall on 2008.
Commercial aircraftCommercial aircraft
At airports outside London the traffic last year fell by 10.7% to 88m.At airports outside London the traffic last year fell by 10.7% to 88m.
Manchester, the largest regional airport, saw passenger numbers plunge by 11.5% to 2.4m, while at Birmingham airport they dropped by 5% to 483,000.Manchester, the largest regional airport, saw passenger numbers plunge by 11.5% to 2.4m, while at Birmingham airport they dropped by 5% to 483,000.
During 2009, air transport movements - landings and take-offs of commercial aircraft - at UK airports fell by 8.8% to 2.1m, which is also the largest annual drop since the 1940s.During 2009, air transport movements - landings and take-offs of commercial aircraft - at UK airports fell by 8.8% to 2.1m, which is also the largest annual drop since the 1940s.
In 2008 passenger numbers fell for the first time in 17 years, with an overall decline of 1.9%.In 2008 passenger numbers fell for the first time in 17 years, with an overall decline of 1.9%.