Reuters/ 10:11AM
BST 12 Jun 2012
The owner of London Heathrow - Europe's busiest airport - said passenger
numbers between Heathrow and Greece dropped 11.3pc in May compared with the
same month a year ago, with numbers to and from Italy falling 9.2pc, Portugal
11.4pc and Spain 2.5pc.
"The impact of the eurozone crisis is still being felt with sharp
falls in passenger numbers to the worst affected countries and reduced cargo traffic,"
said BAA's chief executive Colin Matthews.
BAA, owned by Spanish infrastructure group Ferrovial, said cargo traffic -
a key indicator of economic health - fell 2.4pc across its airports last month.
Cargo traffic at Heathrow was down 3.8pc.
"Both (cargo) figures are likely to be a reflection of the continued
economic problems, particularly in the eurozone," added Mt Matthews.
IAG, formed by the merger of British Airways and Iberia ,
last week said worsening economic conditions in Spain
hit its performance last month, undermining strength in long-haul travel out of
London .
Traffic at airports operated by BAA fell 0.1pc in May, compared with the
same month in 2011, reflecting last year's late Easter and Royal Wedding which
boosted traffic in May 2011.
The late May bank holiday into June this year also reduced last month's
traffic figures, it said.
BAA said 5.8m passengers passed through Heathrow last month, 0.6pc down on
last May.
BAA, prevented by the government from building a third runway at Heathrow
because of environmental concerns, has seen traffic to emerging markets rise in
recent years and believes it is now falling behind rival European airports in
the battle for these lucrative routes because of constraints on growth.
The company, which also owns Southampton in the south of England , and Glasgow
and Aberdeen airports in Scotland , said the eurozone crisis showed why Britain urgently needed to build better links to
the countries whose economies are growing such as China ,
India and Brazil .
"With the UK 's only
hub airport, Heathrow, already full, France
and Germany
are forging ahead and we are being left behind," said Mr Matthews.
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