AIR
PASSENGER numbers are returning to normal following the foot and mouth crisis,
BAA has claimed.
The
company, which owns seven UK airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, handled
11.8 million passengers throughout June, a 3.4% increase compared to the same
month last year.
All of its
airports showed positive growth in numbers during June, except Heathrow, which
saw numbers down by 1.4% from 5.77 million in 2000 to 5.6 million this year.
Many of
BAA’s key markets were hit hard as travellers stayed away from the UK because
of foot and mouth. North Atlantic and long-haul traffic were particularly badly
affected.
BAA has
predicted a return to normal growth by the autumn.