Smaller UK Airports Struggle Despite Record Passenger Numbers

Several smaller airports in the UK find themselves grappling with a challenging recovery from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Despite a significant surge in overall air travel figures, some regional airports have reported declines in passenger numbers of nearly 50 per cent compared to pre-COVID levels. This calls into question the future viability of these airports.

London City Airport, for instance, has seen passenger traffic drop by 27 per cent, falling from 5.1 million in 2019 to 3.7 million. This decline is concerning, particularly as the airport relies heavily on business travellers while being constrained in its ability to accommodate larger airlines.

Southampton Airport has recorded a staggering 48 per cent decrease, with passenger numbers plummeting from 1.7 million to 880,000. Exeter Airport has also suffered, experiencing a 43 per cent decline, from 1 million passengers down to 570,000. Both airports were notably reliant on the now-defunct Flybe airline.

Cardiff Airport, impacted by its proximity to the much busier Bristol Airport, has seen a 40 per cent drop in passengers, falling from 1.6 million to 950,000. This decline has been exacerbated by the departures of Qatar Airways and Wizz Air from its roster of airlines.

Southend Airport, initially heralded as a new London airport, has been hit hardest, suffering a 64 per cent fall in patronage from 2 million to 720,000. Similarly, Aberdeen Airport, closely tied to the oil and gas industry, has seen a 20 per cent reduction in passengers, down to 2.3 million.

Despite the overall UK aviation sector handling 299 million passengers in 2025—marking a 2.3 per cent increase compared to the previous year—many smaller airports continue to struggle. The reduction in connectivity has raised fears of further closures, following the shuttering of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2022 after losing key airlines.

AirportsUK, the industry’s trade body, acknowledges this two-tier recovery, while maintaining that smaller airports remain viable and competitive. The chief executive, Karen Dee, stated that the aviation sector was devastated by the pandemic and that recovery would be a lengthy process.

Heathrow Airport has benefitted, handling an additional 3.6 million passengers since 2019, accounting for 28 per cent of all UK air travellers. Conversely, Gatwick has recorded a decline of 3.8 million passengers, constituting an 8 per cent drop.

Passenger numbers at major regional airports are increasing, with Edinburgh showing a 15 per cent rise to 16.9 million, while Birmingham has experienced an 8 per cent increase to 13.6 million.