Airlines used the switch to winter flight schedules last month to trim their services in response to the economic downturn, according to latest figures from NATS, the UK’s major air traffic management company.
The number of flights in UK airspace decreased by 5.3 per cent in October, compared to the same time last year, with 209,284 against 220,922 flights.
The reduction is larger than in previous months and the winter schedules being introduced two days earlier than in 2007, may be a factor.
Transatlantic arrivals and departures showed a reduction of 10.1% while traffic at the 15 airports at which NATS provides a service posted an overall decrease of 5.6%. The exceptions were Bristol (2.2%) and London City (1.4%).
Markets continuing to see growth included Portugal and Turkey, while the biggest reduction in flights included destinations such as France and Belgium.
Oct 2008 | Oct 2007 | % gr | 2008 to Date | 2007 to Date | % gr | |
| UK FLIGHTS | 209,284 | 220,922 | -5.3% | 2,098,702 | 2,102,836 | -0.2% |
| CENTRES | ||||||
| London Area Control Centre (Swanwick) | 171,574 | 180,452 | -4.9% | 1,723,831 | 1,720,160 | 0.2% |
| London Terminal Control Centre | 117,851 | 124,732 | -5.5% | 1,182,677 | 1,190,211 | -0.6% |
| Manchester Area Control Centre | 48,692 | 53,680 | -9.3% | 490,156 | 512,959 | -4.4% |
| Scottish Area Control Centre | 55,072 | 55,707 | -1.1% | 546,712 | 530,086 | 3.1% |
| Oceanic Area Control Centre (Shanwick) | 34,992 | 37,430 | -6.5% | 361,859 | 351,983 | 2.8% |
| MARKET | ||||||
| Transatlantic Arrivals/Departures | 11,661 | 12,969 | -10.1% | 120,438 | 123,914 | -2.8% |
| Transatlantic Overflights | 17,609 | 17,281 | 1.9% | 173,763 | 162,262 | 7.1% |
| Other Arrivals/Departures | 127,335 | 135,352 | -5.9% | 1,278,312 | 1,286,889 | -0.7% |
| Other Overflights | 10,412 | 10,375 | 0.4% | 110,209 | 105,598 | 4.4% |
| Domestic | 41,934 | 44,532 | -5.8% | 412,340 | 420,232 | -1.9% |
