Air traffic numbers dip amid BA strike
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The British Airways' cabin crew strike contributed to a slight fall in the number of passengers passing through the six UK airports run by BAA last month, it was announced today.
The company handled 8.2 million passengers at its six airports in March 2010 - a 1.5% fall on the same month last year.
BAA estimated that the seven days of strike action at BA caused a loss of 200,000 passengers at its UK airports last month.
The company handled 5.21 million passengers at Heathrow last month - a rise of 0.4% on March 2009.
Stansted was down 4.2% compared with March 2009, while Southampton was up 5.3%.
There were falls in numbers at each of BAA's Scottish airports, with Glasgow down 9.6%, Aberdeen down 4.4% and Edinburgh down 3.3%.
UK traffic at the six airports fell 6.8% last month, while Ireland passenger numbers were down 9.3%. European scheduled traffic rose 0.1%, but European charter traffic fell 2.1%.
North Atlantic flight passenger numbers rose 1.7% and other long-haul traffic was up 0.5%.
BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: "There is no doubt that the market remains difficult, compounded by industrial action last month.
"Despite the industrial action, Heathrow continued to demonstrate the resilience which comes from its role as the UK's only hub airport."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments