Bristol airport handled 6.3 million passengers last year, surpassing the previous annual record set in 2008.
This represents a 3.45% increase on 2013, and a fifth consecutive year of growth for the south-west airport.
The total included record passenger figures for a single day, set on August 14 when 25,390 arrived or departed over 24 hours.
The annual growth was achieved without increasing the number of flights, reflecting the introduction of larger aircraft on a number of established services, including KLM’s four-times daily service to Amsterdam.
Further growth is forecast in 2015, with flights to a new destinations set to start this spring, and at least one airline, Wizz Air, launching operations at the airport for the first time.
Development of passenger facilities to cater for this increased demand continues, with work underway on an eastern terminal extension and improvements to car parks.
Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “Airports are useful barometers for the economy of the region they serve, so growth of passenger numbers at Bristol airport is good news for the south-w est.
“This strong performance is set to continue throughout 2015, with leisure travel in particular being stimulated by the euro exchange rate and reductions in Air Passenger Duty for children.”
He added: “Work is already underway to ensure we maintain and enhance the customer experience as passenger numbers grow, and we continue to explore opportunities with existing and potential airline partners to strengthen and extend the route network available from Bristol.”