In a surprising move, the three biggest airports of Scotland have posted significantly falling passenger numbers for the month of July. According to a recent statement made by their owner BAA, the said condition is a symptom of soaring fuel prices and pressing credit crunch. Across the globe, factors like the economic slowdown and an alarming rise in the price of oil have been wrecking havoc, leading to capacity cuts, suspension of routes and termination of employees, in addition to the breaking up of several airlines.

Most notably when compared to the passenger numbers recorded during the same month last year, the figures for this year showed a 2.3 percent drop. During the month of July, not less than 2.2 million passengers passed through Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen Airport. Considering that July is the peak month for summer getaways, the figures noted prove to be remarkably lower than the actual figures expected. For the month of July, the international traffic was up by 2.3 percent. However, the domestic business was down by about 6.8 percent.

According to the opinion of experts, the above said numbers go in to suggest that among several other problems haunting the industry at present, BAA and its airline customers are facing new and really tough competition from the passengers of rail that travel within Britain.

Also, the downturn in domestic flights is seen to continue even during this winter with BA and other airlines axing flights and trains departing from Scotland to the south, with the situation expected to get even faster following Christmas.