Traffic operating within the UK's airspace rose again last month.

Statistics revealed by air traffic control operator Nats showed it handled 146,000 flights in February. This equates to an increase of 1.9 per cent against the same period the year before.

International segments were responsible for the upturn, with non transatlantic overflights leading the way with a rise of 3.8 per cent. Non transatlantic arrivals and departures came close behind, experiencing growth of 3.6 per cent. The number of domestic journeys, however, fell by 4.7 per cent.

Martin Rolfe, managing director of operations at Nats, commented: "We have successfully handled an increase in air traffic in a challenging month that combined high demand with bad weather."

The report also showed delays attributable to the organisation totalled 4,401 minutes in February. It stated 85 per cent of this happened on the 23rd and was mainly caused by the end of the school holidays and returning ski traffic.