Scotland air passenger decline of half a million
Ferry Online Travel News 12/01/2009
The main airports in the country suffered the loss over a 10 month period in 2008.
The decline in passenger traffic is signals a reversal of the air travel expansion trend in Scotland and comes as a major blow to the national economy.
For the 10 month period of January-October, 2008, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) statistics show that 20.5 million passengers travelled through Scotland’s five largest airports. The number was the first decline in passenger traffic in a decade.
Fifty-six destinations were cut by carriers during the period and 40 new routes were established, meaning a net loss of 16 routes.
The cut in capacity came after airlines struggled to cope with the soaring price of jet fuel in the first half of last year, and which saw the failure of operators such as Seguro Holidays and XL Leisure.
Passenger traffic figure for the largest of the airports in the country - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Prestwick – indicate further that the decline accelerated during the month of November. Industry analysts and airline bosses are saying that the economic problems the UK is facing are likely to put additional pressure on airlines as the year progresses.
← Crystal offers customers favourable exchange rate | Index | Ryanair expands routes at three airports →