Manchester Airports Group saw half-year operating profits rise by 8.7% to £117.6 million as passenger numbers rose by 8.5%.
Numbers using the group’s four airports reached 28.1 million, with Stansted showing the greatest growth at almost 12%.
Manchester airport handled 13.2 million passengers in the six months to September 30, Stansted 11.3 million, East Midlands 3.1 million and Bournemouth 500,000.
The number of destinations accessible from the group’s airports is at record levels – up 4% to 277 – including new flights to Jeddah, Eindhoven and Bologna and additional capacity on many existing routes such as Abu Dhabi and New York.
Numbers using Manchester airport are expected to hit a pre-recession peak of 22 million this financial year and Stansted has recently become the fastest growing major airport in the London area, according to the group.
MAG is spending £40 million re-developing the terminal at Stansted with retail partners contributing up to another £40 million.
The project will double airside retail space and improve passenger flows. World Duty Free, Next and M&S Simply Food have all opened stores and a further 12 shops are planned together with a new lounge.
MAG chief financial officer Neil Thompson said: “A busy summer period saw more passengers than ever before using our four airports and taking advantage of the largest number of destinations that we have ever been able to offer.
“Our focus on long-term commercial agreements has made this possible and we continue to focus on further diversifying our route offering, particularly with regards long haul.
“I am especially pleased with the performance of Manchester which is reaching its record annual passenger level and Stansted which is now showing industry leading levels of passenger growth.
“Stansted alone has added over two million passengers since we acquired the airport in February 2013 and has begun to see substantial operational and commercial benefits from being part of the group.
“Unlike other London airports, Stansted has spare runway capacity today and significant room to grow in the future and it is vital that faster rail services are delivered between London and Stansted so as to ensure that this potential is utilised.
“We also continue to invest significantly in our infrastructure, with the existing facilities at all four airports having been improved in the last six months.”