March MAG’s busiest month as recovery continues

·       3.1 million passengers travelled through MAG airports in March

·       Figure represents 70% of traffic served in March 2019, making it the strongest month for recovery so far

·       12 month rolling passenger figure was 33% of 2019 total

More than twice as many passengers travelled through MAG’s airports last month compared to January, figures published today show.

Manchester Airports Group - which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports - served 3.1 million passengers in March, which has increased from 1.4 million in January and 2.4 million in February.

Figures for March represent 70% of the traffic seen in the same month in 2019, making it the strongest month of recovery since the start of the pandemic.

In January, volumes were at 37% of 2019 levels, and in February numbers recovered to 62% of what they were pre-pandemic.

MAG’s rolling 12-month total stands at 20.5 million passengers, which is 33% of the pre-pandemic total.

In March, Manchester and London Stansted both served 69% of traffic seen in 2019, with East Midlands total at 58%.

The increase in passenger numbers reflects a full month of international travel being free of restrictions, with travellers more confident in taking their long-awaited trips without fear of last-minute changes.

MAG welcomed the Government’s announcement that the Passenger Locator Form requirement would be removed in time for the Easter break, to make travel easier.

Cargo loads were up at Manchester, and down 11.1% and 3.3% at London Stansted and East Midlands respectively.

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