UK airports are confident of air passenger growth in 2014.
Just a few weeks after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported that passenger numbers in 2013 were up 3.5% to 228 million, compared to 221 million in 2012, a new survey responded to by 25 UK airports has revealed optimism that this trend will continue into 2014. The survey of airports, carried out by the Airport Operators Association (AOA), the trade body for UK airports, found:
- 67% of airports are ‘confident’ that growth will be stronger in 2014 than 2013;
- 23% believe growth in 2014 will ‘more or less match’ 2013;
- 9% believe there will be no growth in 2014; and
- 1% believe passenger numbers will decline in 2014.
Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the AOA, said:
“Airports are a vital part of the UK’s economic prosperity, and play a crucial role in supporting a whole range of activity, such as tourism, manufacturing and exports. It is therefore extremely encouraging that passenger numbers are heading in the right direction and that our members are confident this trend will continue.
“We are hopeful that next year’s welcome reduction in long-haul APD will further boost demand for air travel, including to the emerging economies. We would now like the Government to go further by reducing this levy across all bands, which will bring us into line with our nearest international competitors, who are busy reducing or in many cases abolishing their respective air taxes, and make the UK a more attractive destination for airlines.
“UK airports have worked extremely hard to weather the economic storm of the past few years, and although we have a way to go to get back to pre-recession levels of air traffic, it is clear that our sector is heading in the right direction. This is not only good for aviation but is also vital for the future success of UK plc.”
For further information please contact Tim Alderslade on 078 5533 7616 or [email protected].
