The number of flights in the UK rose slightly during 2013, despite a series of disruptions. 

Air traffic management company Nats announced the rise of 0.4 per cent, stating it had handled a total of 2,153,995 flights in and out of the country.

Events such as the bad weather over Christmas and European strike action caused flights to be held back or cancelled, while technical issues at Nats' control centre in Hampshire also had an effect. The company reported that delays it caused equated to an average of five seconds throughout the year, one fifth of the amount of disruption experienced on the continent. 

Martin Rolfe, managing director of operations at Nats, hailed the company's management of the traffic increase and announced the group was "looking forward to supporting an even busier and more successful 2014".

The results are still well below the figures achieved at its peak, with 13 per cent fewer flights taking place last year than in 2007.