The pie chart illustrates the purposes for which visitors travelled through different UK airports – Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, and Stansted – in 2016.
Overall, it is evident that holidays and visiting friends and family were the main reasons for travelling, while business and other reasons were less common, except at Heathrow airport. Notably, Luton and Stansted airports were predominantly used by tourists, whose main purposes were visiting friends and relatives.
Looking at Luton airport, the highest proportion was visiting family and friends at 45% among all the purposes, while holidays accounted for two-fifths, or 40%, of visitors. In addition, business and other purposes were modest, accounting for 10% and 5%, respectively. At Stansted airport, visiting relatives and friends accounted for the majority, with 45% of passengers, whereas holidays underscored the secondary role, accounting for 38% of visitors. Moreover, business and other motives made up smaller shares, with 12% and 5%, respectively.
Turning to Gatwick airport, holiday motives were considerably higher, with 60% of people, making up an exceptionally large share overall, whereas business, visiting friends and family, and other reasons were modest compared to holidays, accounting for 15% and 20% of visitors. Furthermore, at Heathrow airport, the shares were more balanced and relatively close, with 35% of passengers preferring holidays, and 30% of visitors travelling for both business and visiting family and friends; the other purpose accounted for a minimal share of 5% of people.