Regional airports 'outpacing major hubs'

The ongoing growth at regional air hubs around the country like Bristol Airport and Nottingham/East Midlands Airport is exceeding that at major bases like Heathrow, according to a trade association.

Chris Goater, head of media and public affairs at the Airport Operators Association (AOA), said that "traditional" major hubs such as Heathrow Airport are not growing as quickly as their regional counterparts owing to the influence of low-cost airlines.

He said: "It's certainly true that regional and airports across the country have continued to grow.

"Regional airports have grown faster in proportion to traditional big airports…Obviously what you have seen in recent years is growth in ability of low cost carriers."

Mr Goater went on to explain that low-cost airlines are eager to reap the financial advantage of using regional airports and this is facilitating growth at the hubs.

According to the air passenger survey recently published by the Civil Aviation Authority, 98 million people used regional airports in 2006, four per cent more than in the previous year.