Passengers fall by almost one million at EMA

PASSENGER numbers at East Midlands Airport fell by almost a million last year as a result of the recession.

Figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority show that 4.7 million people flew in and out of the Castle Donington airport, in 2009, a 19% drop compared to 2008 when 5.6 million used it.

Airport bosses said the fall in passengers was down to the tough economic climate and the collapse of Sterling Airlines and XL Airlines.

In January, budget airline Easyjet stopped flying from East Midlands in order to concentrate on what it called "more profitable airports".

The airport is also one of the UK's largest freight hubs. It saw a slight fall in cargo tonnage last year.

The airport said it hoped new airline Jet2.com, which will begin flying seven routes from May, would help boost passenger numbers.

BMI and Ryanair also plan to base more planes there.