Transatlantic flights take dive

PEOPLE are still stubbornly refusing to fly to and from North America in significant numbers, according to latest official figures from National Air Traffic Services.

The figures are bad news for the part-privatised air traffic controller which is negotiating a £100m cash injection from airports operator BAA along with the Government in a bid to repair a business plan shredded by the global economic downturn and the after-effects of the 11 September terrorist attacks.

Air traffic movements in British skies were down 4.3% in June, the worst monthly statistics since March, and outstripping the 3.7% decrease reported for the first six months of the year. Nats had budgeted for 5% growth this year.

Chief executive Richard Everitt said: 'Industrial action [by controllers] across Europe and the grounding of the Aer Lingus fleet [due to industrial action] early in the month, added to the existing downturn, saw Nats' largest income areas - international, overflight and oceanic services -decline yet again. He added: 'We do not expect to see any positive growth in these areas until the autumn.'

Transatlantic flights were down by 8.2% in June, taking the fall for the six months to 11.2%.