Manchester Airports Group saw passenger levels return to 84% of pre-pandemic levels in the half-year to September 30 as losses were cut.
The number of travellers using the group’s three airports rose to 30.5 million against 6.6 million in the same period in 2021.
At Manchester, 14.3 million passengers travelled through between April and September, up from 2.7 million across the same period last year.
The company said: “The removal of all remaining UK travel restrictions in March 2022 triggered a rapid increase in pent up demand for travel and has resulted in MAG delivering a strong financial performance.”
However, the parent company of Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports reported a pre-tax loss of £28.2 million, down from £105.2 million.
Revenue increased by 238% year-on-year to £537.6 million, resulting in an operating profit of £22.1 million against a loss of £75.1 million for the six months.
MAG said: “Pent-up demand for travel was suddenly released by the removal of testing and quarantine restrictions in March this year.
“The fact that the aviation sector knew that this demand would come back did not make it easier to prepare for, given the difficult labour market and that it can typically take up to three months to train and vet new aviation recruits before they can start work.
“It is important to acknowledge that service levels in some parts of MAG’s business were, at times, not where we expect them to be. This was particularly true in the early months of the summer and applied both to the operations in MAG’s direct control and those delivered by our partners, such as airlines, ground handling companies and those that deliver assisted travel services.
“With much of MAG’s operational difficulties relating to recruitment challenges, we are pleased now to be in a position where more than 2,000 new colleagues have started work with us, which underlines how important our airports are to the communities surrounding them in relation to employment.
“More than 30 million people travelled through MAG’s airports between April and the end of September, representing 84% of the equivalent period in 2019, pre-pandemic.
“Many of these people will have been going on holiday, travelling for business or visiting friends and family overseas for the first time in more than two years.”
The group insisted that operational performance has improved significantly following a period of disruption at Manchester airport in the early summer period.
In November, 97% of passengers passed through security in fewer than 15 minutes.
Data for the month also showed that 99% of passengers at both Stansted and East Midlands airports cleared security in less than 15 minutes.
Looking ahead to next year, the group’s airports are continuing to recruit new staff “to be able to deliver further improvements in customer service”.
MAG chief executive Charlie Cornish said “The uplift in passenger numbers we have seen reflects the strong demand for international travel since restrictions were lifted, with more than 30 million passengers travelling through our airports between April and September.
“After a challenging start to the summer season, I am pleased to have welcomed more than 2,000 new colleagues into the business and want to assure all our customers we are focussed on delivering a really positive experience for the remainder of the year, and throughout 2023.
“As the UK navigates a period of economic uncertainty, we will be working closely with our airlines to ensure our airports offer passengers an excellent choice of affordable travel options.”