The number of flights in UK airspace has fallen for a third month with the latest figures, for September, showing a decrease of 2.1 per cent on last year.
A total of 219,742 flights were managed by NATS, the UK’s leading air traffic services provider, compared to 224,454 in September last year.
The biggest reduction in the markets (see table below) showed in transatlantic arrivals and departures, down -8.9 per cent. Domestic flights were static while transatlantic overflights increased by 3.3 per cent.
The first year-on-year fall in monthly figures since the post 9/11 downturn came in July. The latest monthly figures come as airlines prepare to trim the number of flights with the launch of their winter schedules on October 26.
However despite the reduction in monthly traffic growth, London Terminal Control still recorded flight number one million on September 15 – just one day later than for 2007.
Air traffic movements at airports where NATS provides a service decreased overall by -1.9 per cent although there was growth at some airports, notably at London City (8.7 per cent), Belfast International (5 per cent) and Bristol (4.6 per cent).
Ends
Sep 2008 | Sep 2007 | % gr | 2008 to Date | 2007 to Date | % gr | |
| UK FLIGHTS | 219,742 | 224,454 | -2.1% | 1,889,418 | 1,881,914 | 0.4% |
| CENTRES | ||||||
| London Area Control Centre (Swanwick) | 181,452 | 185,373 | -2.1% | 1,552,257 | 1,539,708 | 0.8% |
| London Terminal Control Centre | 122,827 | 125,329 | -2.0% | 1,064,826 | 1,065,479 | -0.1% |
| Manchester Area Control Centre | 51,744 | 54,224 | -4.6% | 441,464 | 459,279 | -3.9% |
| Scottish Area Control Centre | 56,718 | 54,628 | 3.8% | 491,640 | 474,379 | 3.6% |
| Oceanic Area Control Centre (Shanwick) | 37,210 | 38,722 | -3.9% | 326,867 | 314,553 | 3.9% |
| MARKET | ||||||
| Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures | 12,080 | 13,266 | -8.9% | 108,777 | 110,945 | -2.0% |
| Transatlantic Overflights | 18,123 | 17,547 | 3.3% | 156,154 | 144,981 | 7.7% |
| Other Arrivals/Departures | 135,587 | 139,489 | -2.8% | 1,150,977 | 1,151,537 | 0.0% |
| Other Overflights | 11,395 | 11,677 | -2.4% | 99,797 | 95,223 | 4.8% |
| Domestic | 42,105 | 42,019 | 0.2% | 370,406 | 375,700 | -1.4% |
