2008’s early Easter break softens March traffic dip this year
The number of flights in March decreased by nearly nine per cent compared to the same month last year.
Figures released by the UK’s leading air traffic company, NATS, suggest that the early Easter break in 2008 meant this year’s reduction of 8.9 per cent was not as large as it could have been because the holiday meant fewer flights than would normally be the case for that month.
All centres and markets posted a decrease last month. With the exception of Heathrow and Aberdeen, with increases of 1.7 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively, all airports where NATS provides a service registered a reduction in the number of flights.
Flights to Greece, Germany and Norway went up against declines in all other international destinations. They rose by 21.1 per cent, 0.9 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively. Airline summer schedules began on March 29.
| March
2009 |
March
2008 |
% gr | 2009 to Date | 2008 to Date | % gr | |
| UK FLIGHTS | 178,747 | 196,304 | -8.9% | 500,604 | 562,926 | -11.1% |
| CENTRES | ||||||
| London Area Control Centre (Swanwick) | 145,066 | 159,443 | -9.0% | 406,765 | 455,529 | -10.7% |
| London Terminal Control Centre | 104,533 | 112,471 | -7.1% | 291,215 | 324,647 | -10.3% |
| Manchester Area Control Centre | 39,615 | 45,937 | -13.8% | 110,756 | 132,589 | -16.5% |
| Scottish Area Control Centre | 45,571 | 51,271 | -11.1% | 128,580 | 147,377 | -12.8% |
| Oceanic Area Control Centre (Shanwick) | 30,772 | 33,376 | -7.8% | 88,387 | 94,982 | -6.9% |
| MARKET | ||||||
| Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures | 10,100 | 11,200 | -9.8% | 28,795 | 32,460 | -11.3% |
| Transatlantic Overflights | 14,359 | 15,792 | -9.1% | 41,733 | 45,222 | -7.7% |
| Other Arrivals/Departures | 107,517 | 118,453 | -9.2% | 299,958 | 338,373 | -11.4% |
| Other Overflights | 8,930 | 10,485 | -14.8% | 25,845 | 29,743 | -13.1% |
| Domestic | 37,524 | 40,044 | -6.3% | 103,486 | 116,220 | -11.0% |