Manchester airport has reported record passengers numbers, with 23 million customers due to fly from the airport in a year for the first time.
The airport recently announced new direct flights to Beijing starting next June as it expands its global network.
Airport bosses believe the growth shows it can play a “bigger and broader role” in fulfilling demand, The Guardian reported.
Ken O’Toole, Manchester airport managing director, said: “We have two runways here already. We’ve announced a £1bn investment programme and we’re well equipped to play a bigger and broader role – and we’re seeing that with the level of long-haul growth.”
Despite the increased passenger numbers, the report noted that the number of planes has fallen at Manchester since its second runway was built, “leaving it at a fraction of its potential 55 million-passenger annual capacity”.
Manchester’s 23 millionth passenger was due to fly on Monday morning.