Easter-time migration aids airport

May 12 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

HEATHROW airport saw passenger numbers rise last month, thanks to holidaymakers opting to go away for Easter, said airport operator BAA.

Britain’s biggest airport saw a 2.6% rise in passenger traffic to 5.6 million in April, according to Spanish-owned BAA.

This year’s late timing of Easter, which fell in March last year, provided a boost to all BAA airports, with a 2.3% decline in passenger numbers a big improvement on the 11.3% plunge last March.

With the bank holiday effect stripped out, BAA said the underlying decline remained stable at about 6.8%.

North Atlantic and UK domestic markets dipped 7.6%, but the group said demand had increased for other long-haul routes, with passengers up 1.4% – in line with the wider travel sector as the weak pound forces travellers to non-euro destinations.

The update precedes a major step in the sale of BAA-owned Gatwick, with the Competition Commission expected to give its final decision on whether the three bidders would make suitable owners.

BAA – part of Spain’s Ferrovial – is selling Gatwick after the competition watchdog ruled it must dispose of three of its seven UK airports.