East Midlands Airport has busiest summer since recession

East Midlands Airport has experienced its busiest summer since 2008 and the beginning of the recession, according to new figures.

Over 3,121,900 people travelled to and from the region’s airport, which was a 5.72% increase on the previous year and is within touching distance of the airport’s busiest year in 2008, with a record 5.5 million passengers.

September saw the end to the busy season with 538,049 people travelling an increase of 6.4% on the previous year.

Cargo carried was again on the increase, with almost 30,000 tonnes carried, an increase of 3.9% on the previous year.

Andy Cliffe, managing director at East Midlands Airport, said: “We have seen month on month increases since December last year and for this to have continued throughout the summer season, is very encouraging. It is testament to our colleagues who provide an excellent and safe service for our customers.

“We have had an incredibly busy summer at East Midlands Airport, not least with the increase in passenger numbers, but also planning for our runway refurbishment that begins in November for seven consecutive 48 hour closures.”

The winter season, which is expectantly quieter, is still expecting to see an increase on last year, with around 1.12 million people travelling to popular winter destinations, such as, Tenerife, Alicante and Lanzarote from October 2016 till April 2017.

Cliffe continued: “We’re pleased with the predicted figures for winter and they clearly demonstrate that East Midlands Airport is progressing and growing sustainably. We have a significant infrastructure project taking place throughout the winter, that has been years on the planning, so we’re looking forward to seeing this realised and complete.”