Airports operator BAA today showed a further improvement in the number of people flying post-September 11.

The group, which operates seven UK airports including Gatwick and Heathrow, reported a second consecutive month of increased passenger numbers in March.

Gatwick decreased 3.3 per cent to 2.3 million but this represents a smaller decline than the previous months.

During the month, BAA handled 10.1 million passengers - 3.4 per cent higher than the same month the previous year and up from February's figure of 8.2 million.

The increase marks the second consecutive month that numbers have risen since the terrorist attacks on the United States.

Figures plummeted after the attack, but have been gradually improving, and February's figures marked the first monthly increase since September 11.