AUC say regional airport growth 'inevitable'
02.10.07
The Air Transport Users Council (AUC), the UK’s consumer watchdog for the aviation industry, has dismissed suggestions that growth at regional air hubs is attributable to the decreasing popularity of Heathrow Airport. It adds that expansion at smaller bases was 'inevitable.'
Hubs such as Newcastle Airport have enjoyed consistent growth in recent years as low-cost airlines offer more extensive services to local people. The airport has also attracting long haul routes and full service airlines, with Emirates launching flights to Dubai last month.
Some reports say the growth at regional airports has been caused by passengers dissatisfaction of passengers at large bases like Heathrow. However, James Fremantle from the AUC disagreed that this has been a factor in the expansion of local airports.
He said: 'I think the growth of regional airports was inevitable with the liberalisation of the air transport industry in the 1990s. The good economy also helped as more passengers can afford to fly and fly from different airports. I don't think Heathrow is the cause.'
'Passengers want to go direct rather than having to connect via another airport, as that just saves time and money.'
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