 European passenger traffic is up sharply |
Airports operator BAA has turned in record passenger numbers for August despite a spate of flight cancellations by British carrier BA. The company said 14.2 million passengers passed through its seven UK airports, a 3.7% increase on the same period last year.
The increase reflects an 8.3% surge in European traffic, while transatlantic passenger numbers rose by 4.5%.
Stansted airport reported the biggest growth, with traffic up 9.4%.
Passenger numbers at BAA's biggest airport, Heathrow, rose by a more moderate 2%, while Gatwick reported a 2.1% gain.
Operations at Heathrow were disrupted in late August after BA cancelled dozens of domestic and European flights because of staff shortages.
The latest figures confirm BAA's recovery from a sharp downturn triggered by the 11 September attacks, a weak global economy, and the deadly Sars virus.
The company said last month that passenger figures had returned to pre-11 September levels in July.
BAA shares were unchanged at 563.5p in early trade.
One-Minute World News 
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