More passengers using UK airports, says BAA

The number of passengers using the UK's airports increased by 1.7 per cent in January compared with a year ago, according to new figures.

Statistics from airports authority BAA reveal that 10.3 million travellers jumped on a plane last month, with long-haul destinations seeing an increase of five per cent.

A 21 per cent rise in holidaymakers travelling to India was recorded, with three per cent more passengers flying to European countries and 1.4 per cent more to North America.

Southampton Airport enjoyed the greatest increase in passengers in January out of all the English airports, followed by Gatwick and Stansted.

Last month, figures from aviation industry organisation OAG indicated that the number of flights operated to and from the UK rose by one per cent in January, with 104,221 services in total being recorded.

Worldwide, the airline industry as a whole enjoyed a significant increase in business last month, said OAG.

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