UK. TBI Group handled 4.3 million passengers in the first three months of 2005, a +13.2% increase year-on-year.
The company, which was acquired in January 2005 by the Spanish group ACDL (Airport Concessions and Development Limited), operates a number of airports in Europe and the Americas.
Europe
TBI’s four European airports – Belfast, Cardiff, Luton and Stockholm Skavsta – accounted for 3.5 million passengers, up by +18.3%.
Passenger growth was driven by the low-cost sector, which accounted for 88% of passengers and grew by +26.7%.
The full-service sector accounted for 6.4% of passengers, with the charter sector accounting for the remaining 5.6%. Full-service traffic increased by +16.7% but charter traffic fell by -41.3%.
TBI’s busiest European airport was Belfast, where passenger numbers rose by +24.8% to 1.9 million. Its low-cost passenger volume climbed by +34.2% to 1.7 million, while its full service sector also performed well – up by +15.4% to 161,000. Its charter business, however, declined by -66.6% to just 38,500 passengers.
The Americas
TBI’s portfolio in the Americas consists of three Bolivian airports (including La Paz) and Orlando Sanford.
The Bolivian airports experienced a cumulative loss of -5.0% in passenger numbers to 518,600. These airports cater exclusively for full-service passengers, and the fall in numbers can be attributed to exceptional traffic in 2004, when a major road artery in Bolivia was closed.
At Orlando Sanford, which hosts low-cost and charter operators, passenger numbers fell by -5.5% to 266,200. The decrease was caused by a -35% reduction in low-cost passengers to 125,000 after two airlines ceased trading.
MORE STORIES ON TBI
Spanish group poised to seal TBI deal – 02/02/05
Abertis and Aena in agreed £551.3 million bid for TBI – 24/11/04
TBI stocks shoot up on takeover announcement; Luton retail changes imminent – 18/11/04
TBI posts rise in passengers, turnover and profits for first six months – 16/11/04
