Airport pledges ‘exciting year’ amid new record

MANCHESTER Airport is targeting further growth in long haul, charter and low-cost segments after breaking its all-time passenger record.

In the year to the end of March,  22.32 million people flew through the airport – representing the best-ever year in its 77-year history, beating the previous 12 month record set in 2006 of 22.26m.

With capacity for 55 million passengers a year at its two runways, Manchester has ample scope for growth and has been actively targeting passengers from Yorkshire and the Midlands in the last two years and building on its North West heartland.

Newly-appointed manging director Ken O’Toole, pictured below, said new long haul routes to east (Beijing, Bangkok and Mumbai) west (Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles) were actively being explored because “we know the demand is there from our catchment”.

However, he said there is more to Manchester’s success than long haul, as he highlighted the growth of budget carriers easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 and the rivival and expansion of  charter holiday operators TUI and Thomas Cook – the latter launching a new Miami route next month.

“I think Manchester is unique across Europe in terms of the choice and service we can offer. We have different segments and different carriers and they are growing and taking advantage of our catchment of 22 million people within two hours.”

In the 12 months to March passenger numbers were up 7.5% year-on-year and nearly 10% in the month.

O’Toole,  said the record passenger numbers was a “magnificent achievement” and  “an historic milestone” for the airport,  and said the target for 2015-16 is to “keep up the positive momentum” and promised “an exciting 12 months”.

Aside from new routes he said the airport was committed to implementing new technology and upgrading the food and beverage facilities at the three terminals.

“We are working closely with Border Force and are rolling-out e-gates to help people return to the country quicker. Generally, there is a lot going on to improve our facilities and services to meet the needs of our customers and airlines.”

He added: “It’s great news that an increasing number of the 22 million UK residents living in our catchment area are choosing to fly from Manchester. With Manchester Airport having spare runway capacity we can offer those customers and airlines an alternative to travelling via a congested London airport.

“We have made great headway to unlock the spare capacity at Manchester Airport and are in talks with a range of carriers to further capitalise on the potential we offer in the short to medium term while the South East capacity debate evolves, as we continue to develop our role as the UK’s global gateway from the North.”

Recent long haul growth out of Manchester Airport includes Cathay Pacific’s new route to Hong Kong and a forthcoming new New York route by Delta.