March traffic figures confirm positive start for 2011
18 April 2011
Flight numbers have continued to record growth this year, with March showing an increase compared to the same month in 2010.
Statistics from NATS show that there was a rise of one per cent from 171,878 compared to 170,231 for March last year. This comes after positive figures for January and February.
The latest figures take into account the effect of airline strikes last year, as well as bad weather. Summer schedules also started a day earlier this year, which will further affect the underlying comparison.
Airports where NATS provides the air traffic service also saw an increase in flights handled with Aberdeen (11.3 per cent) and Heathrow (6.8 per cent) the biggest risers.
| Mar
2011
|
Mar
2010
|
% gr | 2011 to Date | 2010 to Date | % gr | |
| UK FLIGHTS | 171,878 | 170,231 | 1.0% | 481,764 | 472,303 | 2.0% |
| CENTRES | ||||||
| Swanwick | 147,415 | 145,931 | 1.0% | 413,995 | 405,654 | 2.1% |
| Prestwick | 69,720 | 69,364 | 0.5% | 194,044 | 191,876 | 1.1% |
| London Area Control | 140,550 | 137,883 | 1.9% | 394,732 | 383,803 | 2.8% |
| London Terminal Control | 100,530 | 99,711 | 0.8% | 283,697 | 279,212 | 1.6% |
| Manchester Area Control Centre | 36,013 | 36,970 | -2.6% | 99,598 | 100,436 | -0.8% |
| Scottish Area Control Centre | 43,617 | 42,688 | 2.2% | 121,333 | 119,256 | 1.7% |
| Oceanic Area Control Centre (Shanwick) | 31,486 | 31,088 | 1.3% | 88,584 | 86,925 | 1.9% |
| MARKET | ||||||
| Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures | 9,946 | 9,748 | 2.0% | 28,237 | 27,190 | 3.9% |
| Transatlantic Overflights | 14,685 | 14,568 | 0.8% | 42,459 | 40,047 | 6.0% |
| Other Arrivals/Departures | 104,286 | 101,995 | 2.2% | 292,519 | 284,237 | 2.9% |
| Other Overflights | 7,929 | 7,700 | 3.0% | 22,102 | 22,122 | -0.1% |
| Domestic | 34,575 | 35,774 | -3.4% | 95,440 | 97,622 | -2.2% |