Numbers continue to increase at the UK’s third biggest airport, as more than three million people passed through Manchester Airport in July.
It sees the airport’s annual rolling total reach 27.2m people, a year-on-year increase of 12%. The rise in numbers coincides with the busiest day in the airport’s 79-year history.
As well as seeing the start of the summer holidays, July also saw work commence on the airport’s £1bn transformation programme, which is set to see Terminal Two increase by 140%, offering passengers a wealth of new features and an improved experience when it opens in several years. The start of the works were marked by a visit from the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP. As well as launching the airport’s transformation, he also launched the UK’s national aviation strategy where he positioned Manchester as “the UK’s other hub airport.”
Collette Roche, interim MD of Manchester Airport, said: “As we enter the peak summer season I’d like to thank passengers for their continued commitment to Manchester Airport. We are matching this commitment through investment to make the airport better for passengers, airlines and the entire region.
“We hope that the start of the £1bn works help build excitement among all of our passengers about the future of Manchester Airport, with the vast majority of the improvements being delivered as early as 2019.
“Furthermore, it was incredibly pleasing to see the acknowledgement from Government about the role Manchester Airport plays, and it being one of two key UK hubs, as it seeks to create a balanced and internationally competitive economy.”
To take all the 3m passengers to their destinations, July saw an increase in aircraft movements by 6%, with more than 20,000 take offs and landings at the UK’s global gateway in the North.
Cargo also increased last month with 12,059 tonnes carried, an increase of 21%, which sees the annual tonnage rise to 120,513.
MAG’s other airports also performed well last month. London Stansted Airport welcomed more 2.5 million passengers. East Midlands Airport grew by 3.1% to serve 588,000 passengers in July and Bournemouth Airport grew 1.2% to 81,000.
