UK Regional Airports Face Turbulence as Passenger Numbers Lag

Several of Britain’s smaller airports are struggling to recover to pre-pandemic passenger levels, with some experiencing declines of nearly 50% or more. The situation raises concerns about the future viability of regional connectivity, particularly following the collapse of Flybe in 2020 and the recent closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Post-Pandemic Two-Tier Recovery

Analysis of Civil Aviation Authority data reveals significant passenger declines at smaller airports in 2023 compared to 2019, despite the appeal of their hassle-free environments. Flybe’s restructuring and route cuts, beginning in 2019, contributed to this trend. AirportsUK, the sector’s trade body, acknowledges a “two-tier recovery,” with airlines consolidating operations at larger hubs.

Regional Airport Performance

• Southampton: Down 48% from 1.7 million passengers in 2019 to 880,000.
• Exeter: Down 43% from 1 million to 570,000.
• Cardiff: Down 40% from 1.6 million to 950,000, impacted by the departure of Qatar Airways and Wizz Air.
• London City Airport: Down 27% from 5.1 million to 3.7 million, due to its reliance on business travelers.
• Southend: Down 64% from 2 million to 720,000, following service withdrawals by easyJet and Ryanair.
• Aberdeen: Down 20% to 2.3 million, affected by the oil and gas industry.
• East Midlands: Down 15% to 3.9 million, although it has become a prominent freight hub.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Closure and Reopening Efforts

Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in 2022 after Flybe and Wizz Air ceased operations. But, plans are underway to reopen the airport. In April 2024, Sir Keir Starmer announced the release of £30 million to support the reopening. The UK government has pledged to restore Doncaster Sheffield Airport as a “thriving regional hub”, with FlyDoncaster lined up to accept over operations, aiming for passenger flights to resume in Spring 2026.

Growth at Larger Airports

While regional airports struggle, larger airports have seen increased passenger numbers. Heathrow has added 3.6 million passengers since 2019, reaching a record 84.5 million, representing 28% of all UK air passengers. Manchester and Stansted have collectively added 4.3 million passengers, reaching 32 million and 29.7 million respectively. Edinburgh and Birmingham have also experienced growth, with passenger numbers up 15% and 8% respectively.

Industry Outlook

Despite the challenges, AirportsUK maintains that smaller airports remain “viable and competitive.” Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, stated that recovery to 2019 levels is a long process, but many airports are rebuilding. UK airports handled 299 million passengers in 2025, a 2.3% increase year-on-year and slightly above the pre-pandemic peak of 297 million in 2019.