UK. Passenger traffic at TBI’s four European airports reached 3.83 million for the period 1 April to 30 June, a rise of +5.8% over the corresponding period last year.
TBI Group, which operates several airports in Europe, Latin America and North America, said the growth was driven mainly by the low cost sector which saw traffic increasing by +7.7% to 2.8 million in that period, against last year’s 2.6 million. The full service segment rose +4.2% to 230,800, spurred by a traffic increase of +11.2% at Cardiff International Airport.
Traffic at London Luton Airport rose +4.8% to 1.86 million, encouraged by a +6.4% increase in low cost and a +3.4% increase in full service.
Belfast International Airport posted an +8.9% increase in total traffic, boosted by a +9.8% rise in the low-cost segment and a +6.9% rise in charter.
Overall traffic at Cardiff International Airport declined by -9.6%, with the charter segment falling by -3.2% in the April-June period. However, it posted a +11.2% increase in full service because of a strong performance from KLM’s service to Amsterdam.
Stockholm Skavsta Airport recorded growth of +21.3%, benefiting from Ryanair’s services and also new services by Basiq Air which started in February 2004.
AFX UK Focus reported that the “uninspiring traffic stats” caused shares at TBI to fall, prompting a sale of 22 million shares at £0.64 (US$1.18) by mid-morning on 8 July.
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