Airports have recorded swells in their passenger numbers in September figures, released today.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is calling for an aviation strategy to drive economic growth across the UK to improve connectivity across the country.
Year on year passenger numbers at Manchester airport rose 7.4% to nearly 2.9 million in the month of September meaning there have been more than 27.6 million passengers through the airport in the last 12 months. It was put down to a surge in adults without school-aged children travelling from Manchester, specifically to the Mediterranean.
At Stansted, also part of the group, there was a 12.6% rise in passenger numbers with 2.5 million passing through last month.
East Midlands’ passenger numbers rose 3% to 554,000 and Bournemouth saw a 7.3% increase to 77,000.
The overall rise in passengers at MAG airports was 9%, with nearly 6 million passengers travelling through in total.
Tim Hawkins, corporate affairs director at MAG, said: “The Government’s forthcoming aviation strategy will play a vital role in ensuring the UK has the best possible access to global markets over the coming decades.
“As an operator of airports across the country, we believe that the Government has an important role to play in improving international connectivity from every part of Britain. By supporting the development of a network of strategic airports with investment in better rail and road links, the Government can boost economic prosperity and strengthen trade links.”
Meanwhile, Gatwick saw its passenger numbers jump 2.7% as it recorded its busiest September on record with 4.5 million passengers travelling through. Long-haul destinations were up by 8.1%.
Chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Gatwick’s September figures demonstrate the year-round global connectivity that the airport provides with passengers choosing Gatwick for destinations right across the Globe – whether this be Asia, the USA and Canada, South America, Europe or Africa.”
Almost 1.3 million passengers travelled through Edinburgh airport in September, a rise of 8.4% on last year. There was a 14.1% rise in international passengers.