Accredited official statistics
TSGB 2011: Aviation
Statistics on activity at UK airports, including number of flights, passengers and volume of freight handled.
Documents
Details
The chapter also includes some statistics on activity by UK airlines; major international airports and airlines; casualties caused by aviation and air proximity incidents.
Key points
- There were nearly 211 million terminal passengers (arrivals and departures) at UK airports in 2010, a fall of 3% since 2009 and 12% since the peak in 2007
- There were 2 million air transport movements (take-offs and landings) in 2010, 6% fewer than in 2009
- Freight handled at UK airports increased by 14% to 2.3 million tonnes, following a sharp fall in 2009
- Heathrow is the UK’s busiest airport, handling 22% of air transport movements, 31% of terminal passengers and 63% of freight tonnes in 2010
- In 2010, the five London airports accounted for 60% of all terminal passengers at UK airports, down from 65% in 2000
- The majority (71%) of international passenger movements at UK airports in 2010 were to/from European origins/destinations. The most common country of origin/destination was Spain (including the Canary Islands), which accounted for 17%
- In 2010, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the most common purpose of travel at Heathrow, Stansted and Luton. The proportion of passengers who are visiting friends/relatives has increased over the last decade at all 5 of the main UK airports
- There were 49 casualties caused by accidents in UK airspace in 2010 and 167 aircraft proximity incidents
Technical information
Information on aviation statistics, including the pre-release access list and related technical documentation can be found in the aviation guidance document.
Contact us
Aviation and international statistics
Email aviation.stats@dft.gov.uk
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
Updates to this page
Published 15 December 2011