August flights show second month of single digit decline
The percentage decline in flights in UK controlled airspace remained in single figures for the second consecutive month, according to statistics published today.
NATS, the UK’s leading provider of air traffic services, showed a fall of 8.8 per cent compared to the same month last year with 206,376 flights in August 2009 against 226,262 in August 2008.
In July 2009, the number of flights decreased by 8.9 per cent from July 2008. Year-to-date air traffic has contracted 10.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2008.
All domestic centres and markets posted reductions in traffic except the Isle of Man and Liverpool, which posted 0.8 and 0.9 per cent increases respectively. The Middle East, Asia and Africa market is again the only international market to show positive growth with a 0.7 per cent increase in arrivals and departures from August 2008.
Flights to Turkey registered an increase of 12.4 per cent, the same as last month.
| Aug 2009 | Aug 2008 | % gr | 2009 to Date | 2008 to Date | % gr | |
| UK FLIGHTS | 206,376 | 226,262 | -8.8% | 1,495,710 | 1,669,676 | -10.4% |
| CENTRES | ||||||
| London Area Control | 171,955 | 189,329 | -9.2% | 1,229,463 | 1,370,805 | -10.3% |
| London Terminal Control | 114,599 | 124,758 | -8.1% | 850,792 | 941,999 | -9.7% |
| Manchester Area Control Centre | 45,768 | 51,962 | -11.9% | 333,532 | 389,720 | -14.4% |
| Scottish Area Control Centre | 51,522 | 58,161 | -11.4% | 378,647 | 434,922 | -12.9% |
| Oceanic Area Control Centre (Shanwick) | 36,961 | 40,416 | -8.5% | 266,625 | 289,657 | -8.0% |
| MARKET | ||||||
| Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures | 11,403 | 13,113 | -13.0% | 84,109 | 96,697 | -13.0% |
| Transatlantic Overflights | 18,905 | 19,251 | -1.8% | 128,043 | 138,031 | -7.2% |
| Other Arrivals/Departures | 128,480 | 140,225 | -8.4% | 914,137 | 1,015,390 | -10.0% |
| Other Overflights | 10,073 | 12,454 | -19.1% | 74,511 | 88,402 | -15.7% |
| Domestic | 37,198 | 40,806 | -8.8% | 291,784 | 328,301 | -11.1% |