National Air Traffic Services said it handled a record 2.3 million flights through British airspace in 2005, a rise of 5.7% over the previous year and the highest annual growth since 1999.An increase in service by low-cost carriers to Eastern Europe contributed to the record, with flights to the region jumping 36.5% over the 12 months. Traffic to the Middle East, Asia and Africa also showed significant growth, rising 12.9%. However, the strong gains in domestic traffic seen all year slowed considerably after the start of the winter schedule, from a peak increase of 9.5% in May to 0.4% in December. Transatlantic overflights remained below 2000 levels.

Each of NATS' four en route centers--London Area Control at Swanwick, London Terminal Control at West Drayton, Scottish Area and Oceanic Control at Prestwick and Manchester Area Control--exceeded previous annual records.

Airports where NATS provides air traffic service also showed year-on-year growth, with a 4.5% rise for the year as a whole. Of its 15 UK airports, London City achieved the largest annual increase at 17.4%.

For the calendar year, the NATS-attributable average delay per flight was 0.35 min. and 98% of flights received no NATS-attributable delay. This compares with figures for 2004 of 0.42 min. and 97.5%.