London airports lose record number of flights

Figures reported by travel insurance company Insureandgo have shown that London airports are among the hardest hit European airports during the trying times of recession. In the last couple of months, many airlines have reportedly decreased routes and axed flights.

From April 2008 to October 2009, the number of routes scrapped involving airports in London has been pitted to be seventy-six. The number of flights cancelled has also been substantial, figures showing numbers as high as 646 flights. That amounts to a loss of around 95,000 seats per week.

With London ‘topping’, the losers list, Copenhagen came a close second and saw around 59 flights being scrapped. The next European city to suffer cuts and scrappages was Madrid which, however, saw relatively only a few flights cancelled. This number was declared as twenty-six.

UK recently saw an increase in its Air Passenger Duty(APD), which came into effect earlier this month. This move has been bludgeoned by many in the travel industry as counterproductive; as it places an additional burden on airplanes as well as passengers. Passengers seemed to be thinking twice about air travel as it has become slightly costlier.

Also in the fray were problems faced by most British airports in the tough recession times. With financial difficulties plaguing the airline industry and ADP causing most passengers to reconsider travelling by air, Airlines might consider cancelling more routes. This would also result in many job losses.