It is some of the most popular routes from the UK that are the most seriously affected [...]]]> There has been a continued decline in the number of airline passengers travelling from the UK. A continued decline in passenger figures is being reported by all of the UK’s busiest and most popular regional airports.

It is some of the most popular routes from the UK that are the most seriously affected with as much as a 16% fall in passengers travelling to Spain and a drop of one in ten travelling to the United States from London. Certain UK airports have been more badly affected by the downturn in air travel with Gatwick airport reporting a loss of 2 million passengers and traffic at Prestwick airport down by 25%.

There has been a fall of aroung 15% in business travellers during the first quarter of 2009 according to the Guild of Travel Management Companies. Surveys are indicating that this is the fourth consecutive quarter in which demand for air transport from the UK has decreased.

The fall in demand for air transport is thought to be partly due to the recession and partly due to the decline in the value of the pound.Many British holidaymakers have opted to stay at home this year instead of flying to traditional vacation destinations in Spain or America.

Some airlines are making cutbacks as a direct result of the decline in business. BMIBaby, a popular budget airline, have announced that they will be shrinking by around one third during 2010 and expect to make cuts on routes from Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester. British Airways have announced that they have been forced to reduce the number of cabin crew on flights from Heathrow due to the unprecedented losses they had suffered during the peak summer months.

While there have been reports that some are seeing what are described as the green shoots of recovery suggesting that the recession is coming to an end. Unfortunately for the air transport industry it looks like there is some way to go before passenger figures return to the pre-recession highs.

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