Passengers down 18% in 2009
16.03.10
Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have revealled a slump in passengers that hit all UK airports last year, with 7.4% fewer passengers passing through their terminals, was more than matched at Cardiff Airport, where passenger figures showed a decrease of over 18%, the Western Mail reports. Cardiff, which in 2007 was the fastest growing regional hub for the UK, saw 1.63 million passengers go though its terminal, in comparison with 1.98 million in 2008 and 2.10 million in 2007.
Charter airline numbers from Cardiff Airport fell 22% in 2009, while domestic flight traffic were down 9% and scheduled airline passengers fell by 15%. Air transport movements - landings and take-offs of commercial aircraft - fell by 27%, which was 3 times more than the UK average.
Steve Hodgetts, Cardiff Airport’s director of business development, told the newspaper that the airport had little power over the number of passengers who use it - which appears an odd assertion given the charges they set for airlines influence the routes provided and therefore the number of passengers.
He said: ‘I think what we've seen is a result of an airline mix that has been much less aggressive during the recession. We've had some airlines take away planes from the airport and this has impacted on the variety of routes we're in a position to offer.'
'However, I wouldn’t want anybody to think we're sitting on our hands and doing nothing about this. We are involved in a number of conversations which will hopefully lead to more routes out of Wales.’
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