BAA’s UK airports handled 11.6 million passengers in March, an increase of 7.7%
on the previous month last year. The numbers were helped by an early Easter
holiday. Stripped of the Easter effect, the underlying increase for March is
estimated at 5.0%For the financial year end March 2005, BAA’s UK airports handled 141.7 million,
an increase of 6.3% against the previous financial year.

European scheduled markets increased 9.7%, helped by a 21.0% increase in
passenger numbers carried by low cost airlines. North Atlantic markets were
3.3% higher and traffic on Other Long Haul routes added 14.1%. Despite the
earlier Easter, European Charter markets declined 1.9% reflecting continued
competitive pressures. UK Domestic routes recorded 4.0% growth.

BAA’s UK airports each reported increases in March. Gatwick benefited most from
the early Easter and recorded the highest growth during the calendar month at
15.4%. Passenger numbers through Gatwick exceeded 32 million during the
financial year, the first time numbers have exceeded 32 million since September
2001.

Heathrow was 5.2% up on the previous year while Stansted increased 9.1%.

Elsewhere Southampton recorded an increase in the calendar month of 11.7% while
BAA’s Scottish airports recorded combined growth of 3.8%.
——-