UK. A total of 2.1 million flights used UK airspace in 2003, an increase of +3.9% compared to 2002 and 2.8% compared to 2001 according to National Air Traffic Services (NATS) figures.
The majority of this growth has been generated by the expansion of the short-haul market, particularly by low fare airlines using Manchester, Stansted, Gatwick, Southampton and Luton airports. However, the number of transatlantic flights has yet to recover to pre-September 2001 levels, depressing revenues from this key sector.
Figures show that in December, NATS handled 156,758 flights, an increase of +3.8% per cent over the same period in 2002, with all markets showing some growth. Christmas week was particularly strong, showing a +8.6% per cent growth.
