UK airports have seen a record drop in passenger numbers in a tough year for plane travel.

In 2009 UK airports handled 7.4% fewer passengers than in 2008, making it the biggest annual decline since records began 65 years ago.

It is believed the bulk of the passenger fall-off came from a drop in holiday airline traffic, with charter flights down 17%.

A total of 216.8 million passengers flew last year; the fewest since 2004.