Airport sees passengers numbers rise despite a troubled year for travel

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield saw more than 895,000 passengers use the airlines which operate from the Finningley site at Doncaster. That is up from 851,000 in the previous 12 months.

Mike Morton, Airport Director, said: "This is fantastic news, especially given the difficulties we faced in the travel industry in 2010. The severe weather conditions at the beginning and end of the year and the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland had a major impact on travel in and out of the UK. Despite this we saw more passengers taking off and landing in Doncaster."

Many factors have contributed to the increase with Wizz Air and Flybe both seeing an increased demand by four per cent and three per cent respectively.

"The easyJet operation was a big boost to our figures in the eight months it operated and we are delighted that with increased capacity and new routes from other operators, we are well on the way to replacing these services for 2011," added Mr Morton.

Further routes will be available from Doncaster in the spring.

Doncaster mayor Peter Davies said: "I am pleased to see that Robin Hood Airport is bucking the national trend of declining passenger numbers.

"I would also like to thank the airlines for recognising the potential of Doncaster. As a local authority we are supporting growth around the airport site."