Airport smashes summer passenger record

A RECORD-breaking total of 2,688,133 people travelled through Manchester Airport in August 2015, making it both the busiest month and the busiest summer ever, in the airport’s 77-year history.

The year-on-year total was up 5.05% on the 2,558,890 passengers who flew during the same month last year.

Factors including more flights and new destinations on offer, along with the improving economy and mild British weather conditions meant that on average, 86,713 people flew via Manchester every single day during the 31 days of August.

It also set a new all-time high rolling annual total of 22,750,477 for the North’s major international airport, placing it well on-course to break the 23 million barrier by the end of the year.

August saw scheduled international passengers increase by a huge 7.66% on the same period last year, whilst charter travel increased by 1.13% in 2015.

The number of private jets flying in and out of the airport also increased significantly, up 36% on the August last year, boosted by the transfer window signings of the North West’s Premiership football clubs, along with visiting pop stars for music festivals taking place in the North and the Midlands.

Air freight was also up by 6.27% as the annual rolling total amount of cargo carried was over 100,000 tonnes for the first time since 2008, at 100,670 tonnes.

Manchester Airport’s managing director Ken O’Toole, said: “This has been a truly astounding summer and the number of people flying from the north of England has surpassed all forecasts, providing a boost for our airline, tour operators and retail partners, as well as creating jobs and boosting the local economy as a direct result.

“We continue to work hard to ensure services and capacity match the demand that continues to grow across our broad and diverse catchment area.

“I’d also like to thank not only the colleagues who work at the airport to make sure all these planes and people can get where they need to be, but also to the people who chose to fly from Manchester Airport.

“As this, our strongest summer in history, which spans over three-quarters of a century demonstrates, Manchester Airport is vital cog in rebalancing the economy and ensuring the Northern Powerhouse gathers speed and momentum.”