UPDATE 1-ADP first quarter sales up 4.8 pct

* Sales boosted by new retail space

* First-quarter traffic down 8.6 percent

(Adds details)

PARIS, May 14 (Reuters) - Aeroports de Paris (ADP.PA) on Thursday reported first-quarter sales up 4.8 percent at 608.5 million euros despite a sharp fall in traffic, boosted by revenue from recently expanded stores and new passenger charges.

The Paris airports operator said revenues were lifted by the opening of new facilities at Charles de Gaulle airport's Terminal 2E following a rebuilding programme and the "creation of a fee to finance the assistance provided to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility".

Core aviation revenues rose 3.4 percent to 315.2 million euros as higher regulated tariffs and an increase in the number of parking stands alongside terminals offset a drop in landing fees caused by 5.6 percent fewer flights.

Retail and services revenues rose 4.4 percent to 218.8 million and real estate turnover of 53.5 million euros contributed 6.5 percent more than the first quarter last year.

An ADP spokeswoman said the new 0.8-0.9 euro-per-person fee to finance assistance for people with reduced mobility was applied to all passengers to share out the costs evenly.

"As of 26 July 2008, according to a European Union regulation, airports are now responsible for accommodating persons with disabilities or reduced mobility. Previously, it was the airlines' responsibility. ADP took on this responsibility as of 22 July 2008," she said by email.

ADP handled 8.6 percent fewer passengers in the first quarter, with steeper falls at domestic-focused Orly airport than at Charles de Gaulle, highlighting a concentration of traffic at hubs as cash-pinched airlines trim secondary routes.

A similar trend has shielded London's Heathrow from the full impact of traffic declines seen so far during the recession.

British airports operator BAA, owned by Spain's Grupo Ferrovial SA (FER.MC), last week posted a steep first-quarter loss on lower passenger numbers and building costs at Heathrow, though its stores continued to do good business. [ID:nL5208733]

The operator of Heathrow and Gatwick airports said numbers fell a greater-than-expected 10 percent and it now had a "slightly more cautious" outlook on passenger traffic. (Reporting by Tim Hepher, editing by Will Waterman)