Survey reveals UK air travel trends

The number of Britons who used regional airports rose in 2006 to 98 million, while Dublin was the most favoured destination for those travelling from London for leisure purposes.

These are just some of the findings of the 2006 Air Passenger Survey by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), released today.

Its study also revealed that more travellers flew from the five main London airports in 2006 than in 2005 - 137 million compared with 132 million - with popular leisure destinations including Edinburgh, New York, Malaga and Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, business class flights to Edinburgh, Dublin, Glasgow, Amsterdam and Manchester were the most popular in that category for London flyers during 2006.

The survey saw the CAA interview passengers at the five London airports and at Belfast City, Belfast International, Birmingham, Londonderry, Manchester and East Midlands airports.

Established in 1972, the CAA is an independent aviation regulator and also provides air traffic services in the UK.

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