Ferrovial’s UK airports had a positive 2017 as passenger numbers continued to grow across the entire portfolio. Heathrow retained its position as Europe’s top rated airport, Aberdeen saw growth in both domestic and international traffic, while both Southampton and Glasgow saw the introduction of a number of new routes helping to increase passenger numbers during the year.
Heathrow’s revenues continue to grow
Heathrow saw revenues up 2.7% to £2,884 million, while also retaining its position as Europe’s top-rated major airport for the third year running. The UK’s only hub airport welcomed a record 78 million passengers through its doors in 2017, up 3.1% from the previous year. The increase in passenger numbers helped the London based airport grow at its fastest rate in five years. John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, commented that:“Heathrow had a fantastic 2017 – welcoming a record 78 million passengers, giving our best service ever and offering better value for our passengers with lower airport charges.”Heathrow’s expansion plans continued to move forward with the airport’s first planning consultation underway. A shortlist of logistics hubs across Britain was also drawn up to help build it, while there is also a government commitment to a vote in parliament during the summer of 2018. The airport also saw lower operating costs and a 10.2% increase in cargo volumes helping to promote better British trade growth.
Aberdeen airport’s passenger numbers steadily increase
2017 saw the Scottish airport end on a high with an eighth-consecutive month of passenger growth. December alone saw 238,000 people travel through the airport, a 3.56% increase in comparison to December 2016. In total, over 3.1 million passengers made their way through the major transport hub, with the growth coming from an increase in domestic and international traffic and the introduction of new routes. Carol Benzie, managing director of Aberdeen International Airport, said:“We have continued to see a steady growth in total passenger numbers throughout 2017 which has been predominantly driven by an increase in our fixed-wing traffic. During 2017, we launched four new international leisure routes, namely Alicante, Malaga and Faro with Ryanair, and Riga with airBaltic.”
New routes bring higher passenger numbers to Southampton
The airport in the south of the UK ended 2017 with 2.1 million passengers travelling through the airport. The number represents a 6.1% increase on 2016’s figure after the introduction of new routes to Ibiza, Rodez and Geneva. 2018 sees two more new routes being added: Menorca and Skiathos. Dave Lees, Managing Director of Southampton Airport, said:“2017 was the Airport’s busiest year ever on record. The growth was drive by a combination of new routes and new airlines, giving even greater choice to people in our region. Southampton now has 40 destinations served by over 10 airlines and tour operators.”
Glasgow recorded its busiest ever year in 2017
As was true with Ferrovial’s other UK airports, Glasgow airport also saw an increase in passenger numbers. The Scottish airport had its busiest ever year seeing 9.9 million passengers traveling through the airport, an annual increase of 5.8%. The airport also added a number of new destinations including Madrid, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Krakow and Valencia. International traffic increased 2.3% as the demand for winter sun destinations and Christmas markets continuing to grow. Investments of more than £25 million were made over the 12 months of 2017 with successful projects including the resurfacing of the runway, increased aircraft stand capacity, and the opening of a new consolidated car rental centre. Of the positive results, Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport said:“2017 was a fantastic year for the airport. To carry more than 9.9 million passengers is a huge achievement and testament to the hard work put in by more than 5000 people across the airport.”
