Manchester Airports Group (MAG) saw passenger numbers reach 96% of 2019 pre-Covid levels in August.
The group’s three airports – Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands – handled 6.5 million passengers in the peak summer month, a rise of 13% year-on-year.
The total was 96% of 2019 levels, giving 12-month rolling passenger total of almost 58 million, up 40%.
Stansted’s recovery continues to see traffic surpass pre-pandemic levels, serving 2.9 million passengers across the month, equivalent to 102% of levels in August 2019. Stansted’s passenger numbers surpassed pre-Covid levels for a second month in a row.
More: Ryanair starts twilight bag drop service at Manchester Airport
Manchester airport handled 3.1 million passengers last month, an increase of 13% on July 2022 and equal to 93% of pre-pandemic levels.
East Midlands’ August traffic was 24% higher than the same month in 2022, serving 500,000 passengers across the month, equivalent to 88% of pre-Covid traffic.
A survey of more than 2,000 passengers across the group found that 94% rated their airport experience in July and August as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’.
High service levels across August were also shown through the Groups’ security performance, with all passengers at East Midlands airport passing through security in less than 15 minutes. The figure for both Manchester and Stansted was 98%.
Stansted managing director Gareth Powell said: “August rounded off what has been a very busy and positive summer at London Stansted, and cemented our position as the fastest recovering major airport in the UK with passenger numbers exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the second month running.
“Across the summer, despite very high passenger volumes and operational challenges such as the recent air traffic control outage, we have delivered a strong and consistent level of customer service with an average security queue time of just over six minutes during our busiest departure periods of the day.”
More: Ryanair starts twilight bag drop service at Manchester Airport