Manchester airport and Stansted both achieved a record February by each handling more than two million passengers for the first time across the month.
Passenger numbers using Manchester airport increased by 5.9% year-on-year, with the northern hub seeing its rolling 12-month total surpass 31 million for the first time.
The airport hailed a “bumper” school half-term for helping boost numbers, with Dublin, Tenerife, Dubai, Amsterdam and Alicante the top destinations.
Stansted saw a passenger increase of 4.8% on February last year.
That resulted in February also being a record-breaking month for owner Manchester Airports Group (MAG) as a whole, serving 4.2 million passengers, a rise of 4.1% from the same month in 2024.
The rolling 12-month passenger total for group, which also operates East Midlands airport, was 64.8 million in the year to February 2025, up 6.7%.
East Midlands airport rolling 12-month total edged up by 0.8% year-on-year, to handle more than four million passengers across the 12 months to February 2025. However, numbers for the month fell by 22% to 142,642.
The group flagged a strong operational performance, with 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at Manchester and East Midlands airports. The figure was 98% at Stansted.
Manchester airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “We are proud to connect the north to the world – so delivering a great service for our passengers during school holidays is really important to us.
“We’ve just recorded our busiest February on record – more than two million passengers – and that was driven by people putting their faith in us during half-term.
“And I’m happy to say that we delivered. Most of our passengers waited less than five minutes to get to security – that’s the kind of seamless experience we know families really value and helps them start their holidays at the airport.”
He added: “It’s set to be an exciting year. We’re looking forward to the completion of our £1.3 billion transformation programme and the full opening of our brand-new, world-class Terminal 2, which will become the airport’s main terminal and serve around 70% of our passengers.
“On top of that we’re continuing to add the new routes that people in the region want. Our new partnership with IndiGo means we’re the only northern airport with a direct connection to India.
“We already serve more than 200 different destinations with 50 airlines, but India is a fantastic addition. Not only is it an incredible place to visit and the world’s fastest growing economy, but it’s a great connection for the half a million people of Indian heritage who live within two hours of the airport.”
Stansted commercial director Ciaran Brannigan said: “February was yet another strong month at London Stansted, with a very busy half-term holiday week boosting demand that saw the airport welcome over two million passengers during the month of February for the first time in our history.
“The great value, choice and ease of access on offer at the airport continues to attract passengers in record numbers, and we don’t expect to see any let up in demand as we push ever closer to breaking through the 30 million passengers a year milestone at London Stansted.
“The summer flying schedule will begin at the end of the month, bringing even more choice of destinations for local people to plan their trips abroad, particularly for those looking to head off over the Easter holidays next month.
“And our extensive and growing route network will also provide more opportunities for us to welcome thousands more visitors from across Europe and beyond who are attracted to the great choice of inbound flights and simplicity of using London Stansted as they heading into London or sampling the delights of the east of England in the coming weeks and months.”