Regional passenger numbers exceed 100m

The Civil Aviation Authority has released figures showing that annual passenger numbers at regional airports have exceeded 100 million for the first time.

The UK's combined regional airport passenger numbers have exceeded 100 million for the first time, according to the latest research.

Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show that regional airport traffic grew at a rate of four per cent in 2006, compared to 2.5 per cent at London airports, and 42 per cent of all travellers through UK airports passed through regional hubs.

Eight regional airports now offer daily scheduled flights to 12 or more international destinations – in 1990 only Birmingham and Manchester offered such services.

It is in the international scheduled sector where the strongest growth has occurred for regional travel hubs, with a twofold increase in passenger numbers between 2002 and 2006.

Six regional airports now host regular direct flights to the US and four offer services to the Middle East.

Harry Bush, CAA group director of economic regulation, said: "Regional airports have continued to develop new services rapidly and have put themselves firmly on the map as gateways for travel to and from the regions they serve.

"There are connections to business as well as leisure destinations in Europe and further afield - including services to hub airports in Europe, the US and Middle East which allow numerous onward connections."

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