BAA boss says Heathrow recovering quicker than European rivals
22.02.10
Heathrow Airport is adding passengers faster than rival European hubs, as a recovery in the long haul markets on which it depends accelerates, Colin Matthews, BAA's chief executive officer said today. He said: ‘Heathrow is clearly passed the low point in terms of passenger numbers. We’re not seeing any sharp recovery but that the worst has passed.’
Passenger numbers at Europe’s busiest airport rose 1.1 percent in the final quarter of 2009, rebounding from a 2.3 percent drop in the first nine months. For the year passengers slipped 1.5 percent to 65.9 million, but that compares with declines of at least 4.5 percent at rival hubs in Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam, Mr Matthews said.
Heathrow probably fared better than its European rivals because it is operating close to capacity, with any fall in passengers flying to and from London taken up by people using the airport to transfer to other cities, he added. The pound’s drop against the dollar and the euro may also be making Britain a more attractive destination.
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