MAG surpasses pre-pandemic passenger figures in October

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) surpassed pre-pandemic traffic levels in October, as passengers made the most of the half-term getaway.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports served 5.6m passengers across the month, a figure which was equal to 104% of passengers served in October 2019.

Manchester Airport saw its passenger numbers overtake pre-pandemic levels for the first time in October - the 2.6m passengers who passed through its terminals was equivalent to 105% of 2019 levels.

Passenger levels were up 14% on October 2022 and brought the airports rolling 12-month total to 27.6m passengers.

London Stansted became the first major airport to exceed 2019 volumes back in July and it recorded another strong month. Stansted registered its busiest October on record, with 2.6m passengers travelling through the airport.

That beat the previous record set in October 2018, and was equal to 104% of 2019 levels. The figure was up 10% year-on-year and brought the airport’s rolling 12-month total to 27.6m passengers.

East Midlands Airport served more than 400,000 passengers across October, a figure which represented 98% of pre-pandemic traffic.

High passenger numbers across the Group did not compromise passenger service levels, with 100% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at East Midlands Airport, with the figure standing at 99% at Manchester and 96% at London Stansted respectively.

Cargo loads at all three airports were up year-on-year. East Midlands Airport – which operates the largest pure freight operation of any UK airport – handled more than 31,500 tonnes of cargo in October - which was up 7% on 2022.

London Stansted recently secured planning permissions for a terminal extension, which will improve passenger experience and increase capacity which will allow the airport to reach its agreed passenger cap of 43m.

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