SubscribeNational Air Traffic Services (NATS), the UK's leading air traffic management provider, handled 210,895 flights in September, a rise of 6.4 per cent over September 2004.
NATS’ Oceanic Area Control Centre at Prestwick recorded the highest growth, with an increase of 7.7 per cent to 34,324 flights. The London Area Control Centre at Swanwick, Hampshire reported an increase of 4.7 per cent (169,063 flights), and the London Terminal Control Centre at West Drayton an increase of 4 per cent (118,468 flights).
The London Terminal Control Centre, West Drayton handled its millionth flight of the year on Saturday 1 October, 11 days earlier than in 2004.
Strong en-route growth continued at all of the 14 UK airports where NATS provides the air traffic control service, with the highest increases at Farnborough (19.8 per cent), London City (18.3 per cent) and Southampton (16.8 per cent).
The market for late summer holidays to the Mediterranean proved strong, especially to Turkey (up 31.4 per cent), Portugal (up 12.3 per cent) and Spain (up 10 per cent). Flights to the United States showed continued growth, up 6.4 per cent over September 2004 and Canada, up 8.6 per cent compared to September 2004.
