CAA: Social trips boosting European travel

A new survey by the Civil Aviation Authority has found that trips to visit friends and family have become an important part of the travel industry, accounting for a quarter of all international passenger traffic at UK airports.

The 'visiting friends and relatives' (VFR) market grew by two thirds between 2001 and 2007, according to the research, while total international passenger numbers at UK airports increased by only a third.

Two thirds of this increase in social trips has come on journeys to destinations in the EU, with Spain leading the way with four million social visitors in 2007.

Around three million VFR passengers travelled to Germany last year, according to the CAA, while both Poland and Italy saw two million social visitors.

Dr Harry Bush, CAA group director of economic regulation, said: "The CAA's research highlights that aviation has been a key driver in increasing economic and social integration with Europe.

"There are now many more passengers travelling to and from the UK to visit friends and relatives in Europe – the result of increased labour mobility, overseas study and home ownership abroad."

The most popular airports for short-haul VFR travel include the smaller London hubs of Stansted Airport and Luton Airport, as well as regional gateways such as East Midlands Airport and Liverpool Airport.

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