HC Deb 07 February 2002 vol 379 cc1098-9W
John McDonnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the change in air traffic in the UK since 11 September. [33358]

Mr. Jamieson

My Department has not made an estimate and the latest available published monthly traffic data from the Civil Aviation Authority, which is the most comprehensive UK source, is October for airports and September for airlines. However, more recent data are available for some airports and airlines, primarily BAA airports and BA. The most appropriate measure of change is that over the same period in 2000. These show that there has been a recovery in passenger numbers, but not air transport movements, in December 2001.

Traffic changes in 2001 compared with same period in 2000
Percentage
BAA BA
Passengers Air transport movements Passengers
April-August 1.4 4.0 -2.5
September -6.0 0.8 -11.0
October -12.0 0.3 -14.6
November -10.6 -4.0 -11.5
December -6.4 -4.8 -8.5
September-December -8.8 -1.8 -11.7

The impact has not been uniform across all segments of the market, with transatlantic services experiencing the most severe decline. The low cost carriers have continued to experience passenger growth since 11 September.