Festive spirit cheers airports

TRAVELLERS returned to the air in millions over Christmas, according to the latest figures. London airports operator BAA said: 'In the seven days to 31 December passenger numbers were similar to last year.'

But the company warned against reading too mUch into the strong Christmas week led by holidaymakers heading for the Mediterranean.

The total of 4.4M passengers through Heathrow during December was still down nearly 7% year on year, although better than than the 13% fall of a month earlier. Gatwick had 1.7M passengers, a 16% fall, against a 20% dive in November.