BAA’s traffic at its seven UK airports dropped 2.2% to 122
million in the year to March 31.
The company said a global economic slowdown, September 11
and foot and mouth were to blame for the decrease in passenger numbers.
Heathrow and Gatwick both experienced significant declines
in numbers of 6% and 5% respectively. However, low-cost airline growth boosted
Stansted and Edinburgh by 15% and 12% respectively, with the London airport
passing the 14 million mark for the first time.
BAA said growth was coming back to its airports and March
saw a 3.4% increase, at 10 million, on the corresponding month last year.