UK air traffic declines by 5.9% in May-2010
Figures show a 5.9% decrease in the number of flights in UK airspace in May 2010, compared with May 2009.
Air traffic levels last month were affected by airspace closures due to volcanic ash and by British Airways strikes. Airborne ash from the Icelandic volcano caused cancellations of flights throughout the month, especially in Scotland and Northern England and Ireland, with a second period of significant airspace restrictions in UK airspace occurring on the 16th and 17th of May. The BA strikes, which took place on 24th to 28th May and 30th May to 3rd June, also caused a number of flights to be cancelled.
All centres and markets experienced a decline in traffic last month. However flights to/from Eastern Europe and the Middle East/Asia/Africa experienced positive growth of 0.6% and 1.4% respectively.