London City has logged record passenger numbers for the third consecutive month, including its busiest day ever, as more leisure travellers use the airport.
July 2018 was the busiest ever month for the airport since it opened in 1987.
In total, 471,519 passengers departed or arrived between July 1 and 31, up 15.7% year-on-year compared to July 2017.
It is the third consecutive month the airport has broken its existing records. In May, 422,593 passengers made their way through the gates and in June 441,519 travelled through City.
Monday July 16 was recorded as London City’s busiest ever day, when 20,115 passengers used the airport – the first time it has facilitated more than 20,000 passengers in 24 hours.
Popular leisure destinations in July included Ibiza, Florence, Lisbon and Malaga.
Robert Sinclair, chief executive of London City airport, said: “It’s the height of summer and not just the busiest time of year for London City airport, but the busiest we’ve ever been, as more leisure travellers turn to LCY.
“The record monthly passenger figures signal a firm return to growth and points to greater demand, which we are responding to, in order to ensure LCY continues to be loved by its customers.”
The airport is investing £480 million in new facilities and infrastructure.
The busiest airline during July was British Airways, the airport’s largest airline customer, followed by Flybe, SWISS, CityJet, KLM and Alitalia. From early 2019, LOT Polish Airlines will begin operating at London City, with flights to Warsaw and Budapest.