August saw a record 7.4m passengers pass through a Manchester Airports Group (MAG) airport, up 4.4% on August 2025.

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – recorded a rolling 12-month total of 67.2m passengers, a 2.2% increase on prior year.

The biggest increase was at London Stansted where 3.3m passengers took advantage of its extensive European network and double-daily Dubai service in August. The month total was up 6.5% year-on-year.

Across the summer (June-August), 9.3m passengers travelled through London Stansted airport, an increase of 5.4% on summer 2025. The rolling 12-month total of the airport is 30.7m, an increase of 2.4%.

Manchester Airport welcomed a record 3.6m passengers in August, up 2.6% year-on-year. Over 10m passengers passed through the Northern gateway during the summer period. The Northern hub’s rolling 12-month total stood at 32.4m, an increase of 2.1% on prior year.

Over the summer, 1.6m passengers passed through East Midlands Airport. In August, the airport hosted more than 552,000 passengers, a 3.7% increase year-on-year. Across the rolling 12-month period the airport welcomed 4.0m passengers, a 1.2% increase on 2025.

Operational performance remained strong throughout the busy summer period. At London Stansted, 100% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. At East Midlands the figure was 99% and at Manchester Airport 98%.   

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·       London Stansted recorded the busiest month in its history

·       Operational performance remained strong throughout July

·       MAG airports received ‘very good’ and ‘good’ ratings in the CAA Annual Accessibility Report

The start of the summer holidays saw Manchester Airports Group (MAG) welcome 7m passengers in July - up4.2% year-on-year and a record for the UK’s largest airports group.

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – recorded a rolling 12-month total of 66.8m passengers, a 1.9% increase on prior year.

London Stansted recorded the busiest month in the airport’s history welcoming 3.1m passengers, a 6.3% increase year-on-year. Daily passenger numbers also topped 100,000 passengers for 18 days of July. The rolling 12-month total for the airport was 30.5m passengers, an increase of 1.8%.

Manchester Airport had a record July – serving 3.4m passengers, a 2.5% increase year-on-year. The Northern gateway's rolling 12-month total stood at 32.3m passengers, a 2.2% increase on last year.

East Midlands Airport served more than 525,000 passengers in July, a 3.1% increase on prior year. The airport’s rolling 12-month total stood at 4m passengers, a 0.4% increase year-on-year.  

Operational performance remained strong throughout the busy summer month. At London Stansted airport, 100% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less in July. The figure was 99% at East Midlands and 91% at Manchester Airport.

Last week, MAG welcomed the news that East Midlands and Manchester airports received the highest possible ‘very good’ rating in the Civil Aviation Authority’s annual Airport Accessibility Report. London Stansted also received a 'good’ rating. These ratings reflected the Group’s investment in its accessible travel services, and its collaboration with onsite assistance partner ABM.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is gearing up for a positive summer season off the back of a record performance in June.  

With schools across the UK about to break up for summer, MAG’s airports have more than 990,000 additional seats on sale compared to 2025, offering passengers a greater choice of global destinations than ever before.   

MAG served a record 6.4m passengers in June, an increase of 2.2% on the same month last year. 

The Group – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands – recorded a rolling 12-month passenger total of 66.6m passengers, a 1.6% increase year-on-year.  

Manchester and London Stansted both saw record passenger numbers across June.  

Manchester Airport served 3.1m passengers across the month - an increase of 1.3% year-on-year. The airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total stood at 32.3m passengers, a 2.3% increase on 2025.  

London Stansted welcomed 2.9m passengers in June, a 3.4% increase year-on-year. The rolling 12-month passenger total for the airport stood at 30.3m passenger, a 1.2% increase on last year.  

East Midlands Airport welcomed more than 498,000 passengers, a 1.2% increase year-on-year. As the UK’s largest pure freight hub, the airport handled more than 37,000 tonnes of cargo across June - a 13.9% increase on prior year.  

As the Group heads into its peak summer season, operational performance remained strong. 100% of passengers at London Stansted passed through security in 15 minutes or less. At East Midlands Airport, the figure was 99% and at Manchester Airport it was 97%.   

MAG recently published positive annual results for the year to 31 March 2026. The Group posted revenues of £1.5bn, up 12.8% on prior year, and an adjusted EBITDA of £614.4m, up 7.7% year-on-year. Operating profit stood at £303.9m, up 15.5% on 2024/25.  

The results were underpinned by investments of £561.7m across the year as the Group marked the nearing of completion of its £1.5bn transformation at Manchester Airport and the start to its investments at London Stansted.  

Reflecting on the results, MAG’s CEO, Ken O’Toole stated that there needs to be a predictable, proportionate, fair and objective approach by the Government on business rates to encourage private businesses to continue investing in growth-enabling infrastructure.  

To read more on MAG’s annual results for 2025/26, click here. 

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The UK’s largest airports group today released annual results showing it handled record passenger numbers while investing heavily in its infrastructure to enhance service and power growth in the regions it serves. 

MAG (Manchester Airports Group) - which runs Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – welcomed more than 66m people through its terminals in the year to 31 March 2026, up 1.9% year-on-year. 

The strong passenger performance was driven by MAG’s core airlines - including Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI -adding new destinations and frequencies to Europe, while the Group also attracted a number of key long-haul routes to its airports for the first time during the period. 

MAG now connects passengers across the country to 284 global destinations, with one in five UK air passengers using a MAG airport. The Group’s annual economic impact increased to £14bn this year and the direct routes its airports provide link the UK to 75% of global GDP. 

The £1.5bn transformation of Manchester Airport neared completion during the year, with the final phases delivered post year-end. The decade-long scheme has doubled the capacity of Terminal 2 - creating a world-class facility for passengers – and unlocked spare capacity on Manchester’s existing two runways. 

That underpinned a strong performance for the UK’s global gateway in the North. It handled a record 32.3m passengers during the year, up 3.6%. London Stansted handled 30m passengers for the first time in its history. East Midlands handled 4m. 

While continuing to grow, all MAG airports delivered strong service levels. Across the year, 99% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less, with more than 90% saying they would recommend the airport they used. 

This sets MAG up to deliver a positive summer season, as the aviation industry navigates the impact of the Middle East conflict. The variety of its route networks and focus on choice and value mean passenger volumes have continued to grow each month in the new financial year, with the number of seats on sale heading into the summer up on 2025. 

MAG’s travel services business, CAVU, also grew its global footprint. It now operates 32 airport lounges internationally and sells travel products and services in 58 countries.

In a new venture, MAG was appointed by the Bahamian Government to operate and maintain Grand Bahama International Airport. The first contract of this nature, the appointment reflects the Group’s track record of driving growth through investment in the regions it serves.  

The positive performance of all MAG’s business units saw it post revenues of £1.5bn, up 12.8% on FY25, and an adjusted EBITDA of £614.4m, up 7.7% year-on-year. Operating profit stood at £303.9m, up 15.5% on FY25. During the year, MAG invested £561.7m. It is the largest investor in transport infrastructure outside London. 

MAG increased the amount of cargo it handled by 12.5%, driven primarily by strong growth at East Midlands, the UK’s largest pure freight airport. It accounted for a third of all cargo growth in the UK, with seven new airlines starting operations at the airport. 

During the year, London Stansted secured permission to grow passenger volumes up to 51m over the next two decades. MAG has plans to invest £1.1bn in the airport to grow to 43m passengers, which it intends to progress in earnest in the new financial year. They include a terminal extension and other supporting infrastructure, which will enable it to play an even greater role supporting the growth of London and the OxCam growth corridor. 

However, the group cautioned its long-term ability to invest in infrastructure will be undermined if the Government does not reach a predictable, proportionate, fair and objective agreement with the airports sector on business rates. Rates liabilities are already set to more than double and represent MAG’s largest non-employee cost line. 

 MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: 

“We are pleased to release these solid results, underpinned by record passenger volumes at our airports. That reflects our steadfast focus on maximising the choice of direct destinations people can access through our airports, which serve catchments areas covering 70% of the UK population. 

“We work hard with our airlines to provide this connectivity at great value and invest in our people, facilities and systems to provide a good airport experiences for our 66m passengers. 

“By growing our route networks, we help people experience new places and enable trade and investment in high-value sectors that will power growth and productivity in regions across the UK. That has seen MAG deliver its biggest ever economic contribution to the UK, at £14bn. 

“We have continued to invest for growth, in particular by delivering the final phases of Manchester Airport’s £1.5bn Transformation Programme. It unlocks spare capacity on its exiting two runways and paves the way for it to play an even greater role in the creation of a globally-competitive Northern Growth Corridor. 

“We were pleased to secure permission to grow passenger numbers at London Stansted up to 51m and are poised to deliver a £1.1bn investment programme to take us towards that.  

“Our long-term ability to continue growth-enabling investments of this nature is influenced by the fiscal environment in which we operate. The current Government has been hugely supportive of aviation in policy terms, but risks undermining that with a tax regime that creates a barrier to investment-led growth. MAG’s business rates have already more than doubled and there remains no clarity on what airports’ future liabilities will look like. 

We have recently responded to a government consultation on business rates, with MAG stating that any change needs to deliver outcomes that are fair, predictable, proportionate and encourage future private sector investment. 

“Outside of our core airports business, CAVU continues to show good growth as we expand our global footprint and the variety of products traded through its digital marketplace.  

“The diversity of our business gives us a resilience that leaves us well placed to navigate the macroeconomic factors our industry faces and look forward to delivering a robust summer season.  

“I am proud of the progress we made this year towards our sustainability targets, reducing emissions in our own operations and the UK exceeding the Government’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate for 2025. We also continued deliver our industry-leading Skills Programme, highlighted by the Careers Festivals delivered across the Group. 

“None of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our more than 8,000 colleagues. I would like to thank all of them for their commitment they have shown which has been central to this year’s performance and will be key to our continued success.” 

 Manchester Airport 

• Manchester served 32.3m passengers for the first time its history, up 3.6% on FY25.
• The £1.5bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme neared completion – delivering a number of new developments including the opening of Pier 2 in October – increasing aircraft stand capacity. A new section of the departure lounge also opened, with new retail offerings including the Great Northern Market food hall
• A multi-million-pound investment in Terminal 3 was also announced to enhance passenger experience – with the first phase of new retail units opening in March
• Manchester’s long-haul connectivity strengthened as Norse started a new direct route to Bangkok – creating the first ever direct connection to the Thai capital from outside of London. It recently announced an increase to its schedule growing to a four-times-weekly service in winter 2026. Air Canada announced it was growing its operation by introducing a four-weekly service to Toronto from winter 2026, making this a year-round operation for the first time, and Pakistan International Airlines also resumed its direct service to Islamabad.
• Qatar also moved to a four-times daily service in summer 2025 meaning we now offer a bigger schedule compared with other European capital cities 
• Additionally, Juneyao, Hainan and Cathay Pacific grew in summer 2025 which created daily services to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong for the first time.
• The airport’s short haul network also increased – with Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com and TUI expanding their route networks across Europe. 

 London Stansted Airport 

• London Stansted Airport served 30m annual passengers for the first time in its history, up 0.4% year-on-year.
• It continues to serve more European destinations than any other UK airport, and this year continued to expand its route network.  Most notably, Turkish Airlines announced it would commence a twice-daily service to Istanbul – connecting millions of passengers to the Turkish capital and onward global destinations.
• New carriers at the airport included Dutch airline Transavia with a route to Rotterdam, and Air Algerie who announced a direct service to Algiers.
• Among existing carriers, Ryanair announce a new route to Lubeck in Germany and easyJet commenced a new service to Paris Charles De Gaulle.
• In recognition of the critical role it plays in delivering connectivity and economic prosperity for London and the East of England, in December, London Stansted received planning permission to increase its passenger cap from 43m to 51m over the next 20 years.
• This increase would make best use of its existing spare runway capacity, without adding any additional flights than are currently permitted.
• This outcome supports the airport’s £1.1bn investment programme which includes a £700m extension to the terminal building. In FY26, as part of the scheme the airport opened its new domestic arrivals building – improving experience for passengers. 

 East Midlands Airport 

• East Midlands Airport’s performance was in line with last year, once again serving 4.0m passengers.
• Across the year, the airport’s airlines continued to add new routes to its network of popular European destinations. Celebrating its 15^th year of operation from the airport, Jet2.com announced new routes to Budapest and Berlin, alongside capacity increases on its services to Corfu, Malaga, Faro, Alicante, Paphos and Tenerife. TUI also announced two new routes to Boa Vista in Cape Verde, and Burgas in Bulgaria.
• It continues to be the home of the UK’s largest pure freight operation - handling more than 413,000 tonnes of cargo across the financial year, up 12.5%.
• This year East Midlands welcomed seven new carriers to its cargo network – further expanding its global trade reach.
• That included Chinese logistics firm YunExpress which launched its first UK route with a twice weekly service to China. Alongside this, Atlas Air, Saudi Cargo and Ethiopian Cargo all commenced services from the airport to Asia and the United Arab Emirates.
• The airport announced its plans to meet the future demand for freight – which York Aviation found is set to increase by 54% over the next two decades.
• This investment would add 50 hectares of cargo capacity – increasing volumes to more than 580,000 tonnes per annum. This could support up to £3.4bn in economic contributions to the regional economy. 

 CAVU 

• MAG’s global travel services CAVU – which offers a range of digital and physical products to enhance the airport passenger journey – continued to see its international presence grow across FY26.
• The division posted revenues of £288.7m, up 26.3% year-on-year.
• It now has a presence in 399 airports across 58 countries.
• CAVU’s airport lounge network grew across the year – now operating 32 lounges across 25 airports. It opened its first lounge in Australia at Brisbane Airport, alongside new sites in the US including Northwest Arkansas, Portland, San Juan, and Tulsa. 

 Creating a sustainable future for all 

MAG’s performance across the year was underpinned by progress it made against the delivery of its new Sustainability Strategy, Creating a sustainable future for all.  

Demonstrating leadership across both pillars of the Strategy – Protecting the Environment and Community at our Core – the Group worked to ensure that its airports can continue to deliver long-term economic and societal benefits while supporting a more sustainable future for UK aviation. 

In pursuit of its target to achieve net zero carbon operations (scope 1 and 2) by 2038, MAG continued to roll out the use of onsite vehicles powered by electricity and Biodiesel, and progressed on the construction of the 12.3 megawatt solar farm at London Stansted – the first of its kind at a London airport. 

In July, MAG welcomed the Government’s announcement of Advanced Fuel Fund to support for the creation of a domestic industry for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The fund provided £4.5m to Essar and NorthPointe Energy who are developing SAF projects at Stanlow, close to Manchester Airport. This was set against figures from the Department for Transport which showed that SAF made up 2.4% of UK aviation fuel in 2025, exceeding the Government mandate of 2%. 

As part of its pioneering approach to skills and employment, MAG held the UK’s first Aviation Careers Festivals across its airports, attracting more than 1,500 students from schools and colleges across the North, Midlands and South. 

Supported by the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority’s Reach for the Sky Fund, the events showcased aviation career opportunities while helping build a future talent pipeline for the sector and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). 

Click here to read the full MAG annual report. 

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) recorded a busy half-term period serving 6.2m passengers in May, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year.  

That brought MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total to 66.4m passengers, an increase of 1.4% year-on-year. The group operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. 

A small part of Manchester Airport’s passenger operations continued to be affected by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Despite this, the airport still marked a record-breaking month – serving 2.9m passengers across May – which was a 0.4% increase on 2025.  The airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total was 32.2m passengers, a 2.3% increase year-on-year.  

London Stansted served 2.9m passengers up 4.5% increase on 2025 and a record for the month of May.  This took the airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total to 30.2m passengers, 0.9% increase on last year.   

East Midlands airport welcomed more than 456,000 passengers across May, a 2.1% increase on 2025. The airport handled more than 36,000 tonnes of cargo across the month, up 5% year-on-year.  

Operational performance remained strong throughout the busy half-term period. 100% of passengers at London Stansted passed through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure was 99% at East Midlands and 94% at Manchester Airport.  

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 5.5m passengers in April, a 0.6% increase on the same month in 2025. 

The Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports - had a rolling 12-month passenger total of 66.3m passengers, an increase of 1.5% year-on-year.   

Reflective of ongoing situation in the Middle East, 2.6m passengers travelled through Manchester Airport in April – down 2.6% on the same month last year. The airport’s rolling 12-month total stood at 32.3m passengers, up 2.7% year-on-year. 

Owing to its extensive European network 2.6m passengers travelled through London Stansted in April - a 3.2% increase on the same month last year.  Its rolling 12-month passenger total was 30.1m passengers, a 0.5% increase.  

East Midlands welcomed more than 337,000 passengers in April, a 5.5% increase year-on-year. The rolling 12-month total of 4m passengers was a slight decrease of 0.6% year-on-year. The Airport handled more than 34,000 tonnes of cargo across the month, up 24% on the same month last year.   

 All three airports saw strong operational performance across April. At London Stansted 100% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. At Manchester Airport and East Midlands, the figure was 99%.  

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served a record 66.3m passengers in the year to March 2026, a 1.9% increase year-on-year.  

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – welcomed 4.7m passengers across March, a slight decrease of 0.1%. 

Despite disruption to Middle East services, Manchester handled 2.3m passengers, a 1.1% increase on March 2025. 

That brought its rolling 12-month total to 32.3m, up 3.6% year-on-year. 

The Middle East conflict saw Stansted’s monthly total dip slightly. It also handled 2.3m passengers in March, which was down 1.5% on last year.  

It ended the financial year with a rolling total of 30m – up 0.4% on the previous 12 months. 

East Midlands Airport served more than 206,000 passengers, a 3.6% increase year-on-year. The airport marked another positive cargo performance carrying more than 37,000 tonnes of cargo across the month, an increase of 6.2% year-on-year.  

Operational performance remained strong throughout the period across all three airports. London Stansted saw 100% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At Manchester Airport the figure was 98% and at East Midlands 99%.   

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG)) welcomed 4.2m passengers in February – up 0.6% year-on-year.  

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – served 66.3m passengers across the rolling 12-month period, a 2.1% increase on the same period last year.  

Manchester Airport handled 2.1m passengers across the month, an increase of 2.3% year-on-year. Its 12-month rolling passenger total stood at 32.2m – up 3.8% on the same period in 2025.  

London Stansted Airport’s annual passenger remained above 30m, this month up 1.0% on 2025.  Across February 2.0m passengers travelled through the airport, a slight decrease of 0.8% year-on-year.  

East Midlands Airport welcomed more than 138,000 passengers across the month, with a 12-month rolling passenger total of more than 3.9m. 

Operational performance remained strong across all three airports ensuring passengers a smooth airport experience during the half-term period. At East Midlands, 100% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. At Manchester Airport and London Stansted, the figure was 99%.  

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served a record 4.1m passengers in January, a 3.7% increase on January 2025. 

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands - saw a rolling 12-month total of 66.2m passengers, up  2.4% year-on-year.  

The Group’s performance was largely driven by record passenger numbers at Manchester Airport. The Northern hub welcomed 2.0m passengers across January - a 5.5% increase year-on-year. The airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total was 32.2m, a 4.1% increase on January 2025.  

London Stansted welcomed 1.9m passengers in January, a 2.0% increase year-on-year. The airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total was 30.1m, a 1.3% increase on last year.  

Home to the largest pure freight operation in the UK, East Midlands Airport handled more than 32,000 tonnes of cargo in January, a 16% increase compared to the same period last year.  The airport served more than 138,000 passengers across the month, a 1.6% increase year-on-year. 

MAG began the year with strong operational performance across all three of its airports. At East Midlands and London Stansted Airport, 100% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure was 99% at Manchester Airport.  

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 66m passengers across 2025 – the highest 12-month passenger total in the Group’s history. That was 2.2% higher than in 2024. 

The year was rounded-off with a bumper December for MAG - which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports. During the month, the three airports served 4.8m during the festive period, an increase of 3.9% year-on-year.  

Manchester Airport welcomed 2.4m passengers through its terminals in December, a 5.9% increase year-on-year.  The airport’s rolling 12-month total was 32.1m passengers, an increase of 4.2% compared to the same period in 2024.  

London Stansted marked its busiest year on record, serving 30m passengers across 2025, the first time it has hit that milestone. That was a 0.9% increase year-on-year. Across December 2.3m passengers flew out of the London airport, a 1.6% increase year-on-year.  

In December, Stansted secured planning approval to increase its passenger limit from 43m to 51m per year. This lays the foundations for the long-term sustainable growth of the airport, allowing it to maximise the full potential of its existing runway capacity - without the need for additional flights. The expansion of the airport will provide widespread social and economic benefits, with the potential for Stansted’s economic contribution to double to £2bn per year once complete.  

East Midlands Airport served more than 166,000 passengers during the month of December, a 6.3% increase year-on-year. The airport saw a rolling 12-month total of 4m passengers, a slight decrease of 4.3% year-on-year. The airport’s cargo operation saw volume increase significantly in December – carrying more than 37,000 tonnes of freight across the month - an increase of 37.1% year-on-year.  

December saw strong operational performance across all three airports, with 99% of passengers at London Stansted and East Midlands passing through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure at Manchester Airport was 98%.  

Over the course of 2025, MAG continued to invest heavily in its infrastructure for growth. That included major progress on its £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme. A series of key milestones were reached, with the programme set to conclude in the coming months. It has seen Terminal 2 more than double in size, unlocking the capacity of its existing two runways.  

Ken O’Toole, MAG CEO said: 

“Last year was an historic one for MAG. 

“Record passenger numbers were driven by exciting additions to MAG’s extensive route network. That included the first ever direct links to Mumbai and Delhi from Manchester and many more unique destinations at London Stansted and East Midlands, providing passengers with value and choice across all three of our airports.  

“MAG is the UK’s largest airports group, and we are proud to say one in five UK air passengers use one of our airports.  

“That is why we are investing in the future, to drive economic growth and provide even more choice to passengers in the North, South and Midlands. As the UK’s largest investor in infrastructure outside London, we are set to conclude our historic transformation of Manchester Airport and to progress with significant investment programmes across our group starting this year.” 

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) had its busiest ever November, with 4.5m passengers travelling through one of its airports, up 2.4% year-on-year. That brings the rolling annual total for the Group – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports –to 65.9m passengers.  

November’s figures come as the UK’s largest airports group prepares for a busy Christmas period. Between 19^th December and 4^th January more than 3m passengers are expected to travel through a MAG airport. 

Manchester Airport saw a record 2.2m passengers travel through its terminals across the month, a 4.3% increase on the same month last year.  Passenger growth was in part driven by the launch of new long-haul services, including IndiGo’s direct service to Delhi, and Norse Airline’s service to Bangkok.  - Manchester is now the only UK airport outside London with a direct connection to both destinations. The Northern gateway’s rolling 12-month passenger total was up 4.5% compared to 2024, at 32m passengers.  

The airport marked key infrastructure milestone across the month, as it nears completion of its decade long transformation programme. Terminal 2’s Pier 2 became operational, increasing capacity which now sees 70% of passengers using the new facilities.  The airport’s new dual taxiway also went into operation, improving the operational efficiency of its two runways.   

 In November 2.1m passengers flew through London Stansted, which was 0.2% up on 2024.  The airport’s rolling 12-month passenger total is 29.9mm - up 1.3% on 2024.  

East Midlands Airport welcomed more than 170,000 passengers in November - an increase of 7.4% year-on-year. Demand for cargo services from the UK’s largest pure freight operation continued to rise. East Midlands handled more than 36,500 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 16.6% compared November 2024.  

Operational performance across the Group remained strong in the lead up to the busy Christmas travel period. 99% of East Midlands and London Stansted passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less, the figure at Manchester Airport was 98%.  

Last week, MAG published its interim results for the six-months ended 30 September, where it posted record passengers numbers of 38m. The Group’s positive performance saw it post an adjusted EBITDA of £405.9m, up 7.4% year-on-year, alongside a profit before tax of £144.6m. This was on revenues of £850.6m, up 10.5% on the same period last year. To read more click here. 

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) recorded its busiest ever October – serving 5.9m passengers across the month, an increase of 1.1% year-on-year.  

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – also had a rolling 12-month total of 65.8m passengers, a 2.9% increase year-on-year.  

Manchester Airport celebrated two full years of record monthly performances in October, serving 2.9m passengers across the month. This was a 2.3% increase on the same month in 2024. The airport’s rolling 12-month total increased by 5.1% year-on-year, standing at 31.9m passengers.  

London Stansted’s extensive European network saw the airport welcome 2.7m passengers through its terminal in October. That was a 0.2% increase year-on-year, and a record for the month. The airport’s rolling 12-month total was 29.9m passengers, a 1.9% increase compared to last year. 

East Midlands, the UK’s largest pure freight airport, handled more than 38,000 tonnes of cargo across the month, a 21.7% increase on October 2024. More than 393,000 passengers used the airport in October, a slight decrease of 1.8% year-on-year.   

Operational performance remained strong as the airports welcomed passengers across the month. At all three airports, 99% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. 

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September marked another record-breaking month for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), as it served 6.2m passengers across all three of its airports.  

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – also recorded a rolling 12-month total of 65.7m passengers, a 3.2% increase year-on-year.  

Manchester Airport served a record 3.1m passengers across the month, an increase of 1.4%. Its rolling 12-month total stands at 31.8m passengers, an increase of 5.5% compared to 2024. 

London Stansted's rolling 12-month total increased by 2.2% to 29.9m passengers. The airport also saw 2.7m passengers through its terminal in September, a slight decrease of 0.1% year-on-year. 

East Midlands Airport welcomed more than 448,000 passengers in September, a decrease of 8.0% year-on-year. The rolling 12-month total saw 3.9m passengers pass through the airport, a decrease of 6.4% compared to 2024.  

Operational performance remained strong throughout the period with 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at East Midlands Airport and London Stansted. The figure at Manchester Airport was 98%. 

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A strong start to the summer holidays drove MAG to a record passenger performance in July.

The group - which operates Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands Airports - saw 6.7m passengers pass through its terminals, an increase of 1.7% year-on-year.

MAG also celebrated a rolling 12-month total of 65.6m passengers, up 4.2% year-on-year.

Manchester Airport saw an increase of 3.1% across the month of July, serving 3.3m passengers during July. The month saw 60,000 departing passengers on Friday 25^th July, a first for the airport.

Across the rolling 12-month period, 31.6m passengers have used the Northern hub.

London Stansted also saw an increase of 0.9% in July, with a record-breaking 2.9m passengers flying though. Across the rolling 12-month period, 29.9m passengers chose the London airport, an increase of 2.9% year-on-year.

East Midlands Airport served more than 509,000 passengers in July. Cementing its position as the UK’s largest pure freight hub, the airport saw a 19.1% increase in cargo year-on-year, with more than 35,000 tonnes handled in July.

Operational performance remained strong as passengers set off for the all-important summer getaway. Manchester and East Midlands Airport saw 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less. While London Stansted saw 98%.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) welcomed 6.3m passengers through its airports across June, a 0.2% increase on the same month in 2024.  

MAG – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – also saw its rolling 12-month total increase by 4.6% to 65.5m passengers.  

Manchester Airport served a record 3m passengers in June, up 1.3% on the same month last year. The Northern gateway’s rolling 12-month passenger total stands at 31.5m, an increase of 7.1% year on year.  

At London Stansted, 2.8m passengers picked from the airport’s extensive European network across the month, down 0.7% compared to June 2024. However, the rolling 12-month passenger total increased by 3.2% year-on-year, currently at 29.9m.  

More than 492,000 passengers travelled through East Midlands in June, with a rolling 12-month total of 4m passengers. Also home to the UK’s largest pure freight operation, the airport saw its cargo volumes increase by a 24.7% year-on year, carrying more than 32,000 tonnes across the month. 

Operational performance continued to be strong, where 100% of passengers at London Stansted passed through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure for both Manchester Airport and East Midlands was 99%.  

Figures for June come after MAG published its annual results for 2024/25, where the Group served a record 65m passengers across the reporting year.  It posted revenues of £1.3bn and £570m EBITDA, alongside an operating profit of £263m. The strong performance was driven by the growth of the Group’s route networks, and the continued success of its global travel services business CAVU. Over the next five years, MAG will invest with more than £2.5bn across all three of its airports. The full news release can be read here.  

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MAG is poised to embark on a fresh phase of significant infrastructure investment, thanks to a record year that also saw it grow its international footprint.

The Group – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, as well as travel services business CAVU – today released its full-year results for the 12 months to 31 March.

Between 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025, the Group posted revenues of £1.3bn, up 8.4% on FY24, and an adjusted EBITDA of £570.4m, up 12.5% year-on-year. Operating profit stood at £263.2m after accounting for one-offs, up 9.8% on FY24.

The strong performance was driven by growth at all its airports, with the Group serving a combined total of 65m passengers for the first time in its history.

That was delivered through a combination of new routes and extra frequencies from its existing major airlines – such as easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2.com and TUI – and by welcoming new carriers to its airports. Today, India’s biggest airline IndiGo will begin a new service from Manchester to Mumbai – its first in Europe.

CAVU, a business founded by MAG with the aim of improving travel experiences, also had a strong year. The business, which sells travel products through a digital marketplace, as well as operating airport lounges, grew revenues nearly 14% year-on-year. It now has a presence at 308 airports in 48 countries globally.

MAG continued to invest heavily during the period and will complete its 10-year Manchester Airport Transformation Programme later this year. Looking ahead, it is due to spend a further £2.5bn over the next five years at all three airports.

That includes a £1.1bn investment in London Stansted, which was announced during the Government’s International Investment Summit in October.

MAG’s investment programmes will drive growth and prosperity in the regions it serves, by creating jobs and stimulating international trade in high-value sectors.

MAG CEO, Ken O’Toole said:

“This year’s record performance is a testament to the strength of our business and the dedication of our people. With more passengers choosing our airports than ever before, MAG continues to play a vital role in connecting the UK to the world.

“Our airports are engines of growth for the regions they serve. Through continued investment, we’re creating jobs, supporting local economies, and enabling trade and tourism across the North, South and Midlands.

“As the UK’s largest private investor in transport infrastructure outside London, we’re unlocking the full potential of our runways through ambitious capital programmes. These investments will help deliver the Government’s Industrial Strategy and ensure prosperity is shared across the country.

“We’re also proud of the global success of CAVU, which has grown from a start-up into a major international business in just a few years.

“Looking ahead, we remain focused on sustainable growth. Our new five-year Sustainability Strategy builds on two decades of progress and reinforces our commitment to reducing emissions, creating opportunities, and supporting the communities we serve.

“I want to thank all our colleagues across MAG. Their hard work and commitment have made these results possible and will continue to drive our success in the years to come.”

MAG’s divisions reached a number of significant milestones across the reporting period. With record passenger numbers, all three of MAG’s airports also delivered a strong customer experience throughout the year, with 98.9% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less

Manchester Airport

• In September 2024, Manchester Airport served 30m passengers over a 12-month period for the first time its history, placing its alongside other major international airports such as La Guardia in New York and Melbourne Airport in Australia. The UK’s global gateway in the North ended the period having served more than 31.1m passengers, up 8.4% on 2023-24.
• Manchester Airport welcomed a number of new carriers across the year. Its long-haul connectivity was strengthened as Juneyao Airlines started its three times weekly service to Shanghai – creating the first ever direct connection to the Chinese city from outside of London. The publication of today’s results also coincides with the inaugural flight of IndiGo’s Manchester to Mumbai service, signalling India’s largest carrier’s first route in Europe.
• New carrier Royal Air Maroc also introduced a route to Casablanca to the Northern hub this year, as well as FLYONE, which introduced a twice weekly service to Moldovan capital Chisinau.
• Manchester Airport is now nearing completion of its £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which began in 2015. The scheme has extended and modernised Terminal 2 as well as improving the efficiency of the airport’s airfield and taxiways.
• New retailers were also announced, including JD Wetherspoon, Chanel and Lego, which will feature in the refurbished legacy Terminal 2 building when it opens to passengers during the summer 2025 season. When complete, the airport’s transformation will increase contributions to the Northern economy by around 80% to £6.3bn by 2040.

London Stansted Airport

• London Stansted Airport also recorded significant growth across the year, serving a record 29.1m passengers, up 4.8% year-on-year. In October, the airport recorded its busiest day ever, with more than 107,000 passengers passing through its terminal in a 24-hour period.
• Serving more European destinations than any other UK airport, London Stansted’s unrivalled offering to passengers continued to expand this year. Ryanair added new routes to Dubrovnik, Sarajevo and Linz, while Jet2.com announced new services to Agadir, Marrakesh and Tivat. Following British Airway’s successful return to the London airport over the summer period, the carrier added a new route to Split.
•  New carriers at the airport included Dutch airline Transavia with a route to Rotterdam, and Royal Air Maroc’s new service to Casablanca. Air Algerie also announced a direct service to Algiers.
• The airport’s double daily service to Dubai continued to prove extremely popular with passengers, connecting them to a host of global destinations from the middle eastern hub. The airline’s offering at London Stansted was enhanced this year, as the new Emirates lounge opened in September for business and first-class passengers. Just this week, Turkish Airlines announced a new double-daily service to Istanbul, adding another long haul route with strong onward connectivity options to its departure boards.
• This reporting period signalled the beginning of large-scale investment plans at London Stansted. Details of a five-year £1.1bn investment programme were revealed by the Prime Minister at the Government’s International Investment Summit in October.
• The centrepiece of the plans is a £700m extension to the existing terminal building, featuring new retail offerings and improved passenger facilities. It is estimated this investment will create up to 5,000 new onsite jobs and double the airport’s economic contribution to £2bn annually.
• That extension will enable it to grow to its existing passenger limit of 43m passengers per annum (mppa).
• In December, London Stansted published its new Sustainable Development Plan (SDP), setting out how it plans to grow sustainably over the next 20 years. This included plans to increase its passenger cap to 51mppa, making best use of its existing spare runway capacity, without adding any additional flights than are currently permitted.
• Last month, the airport formally submitted its planning application to Uttlesford District Council with the proposal.

East Midlands Airport

• East Midlands Airport’s performance was in line with last year, once again serving 4.0m passengers, and as the home of the UK’s largest pure freight operation, handled more than 367,000 tonnes of cargo. It continued to offer its passengers a range of popular European destinations this year, with a number of new additions. TUI announced a new route to Naples over the summer season, alongside services to Burgas and Boa Vista. Jet2.com also commenced new service to Symi.
• Eastern Airways switched its operations from Paris Orly to the more central Paris Charles De Gaulle, offering passengers a more direct route to the French capital, which also offers onward connections to destinations worldwide.
• East Midlands Airport carries the largest amount of express freight that goes in and out of the UK, and this year its network of cargo routes also expanded. Chinese carrier One Air commenced new services to China and Hong Kong, and in May 2025, new cargo Yun Express and Ethiopian Cargo will be both announced services to China, while Atlas Air commenced flights to both the US and China.
• In January, the Chancellor announced a new partnership between East Midlands Airport and Prologis as part of a landmark speech on economic growth.  The new partnership will advance the airport’s Freeport plans, and subject to planning permission, will see the construction of a new logistics and advanced manufacturing park next to the airport.
• This is projected to unlock £1bn of investment stimulating economic growth and employment in the region. Last month, East Midlands also announced plans to bring forward four sites next to its runway for development. The CargoMAX plans could generate up to a further 22,000 jobs when complete.
• The airport also continued to deliver its £120m investment programme at East Midlands Airport, providing improvements across the site over the next five years.

CAVU

•  CAVU, MAG’s global travel services business also saw its international presence grow across the year, with revenues for the division up 13.9% on FY24.

• CAVU has a range of digital and physical products to enhance the airport passenger journey. It now has a presence in more than 308 airports across 48 countries and operates airport lounges across the UK, US and Australia – including at all three of MAG’s airports and Bristol Airport.
• In this reporting period, CAVU announced its acquisition of Parkos, a leading European parking comparison site. The site, which serves more than four million customers worldwide, adds more than 1,000 new parking providers across 15 countries to CAVU’s online marketplace
• CAVU also grew its lounge network this year, both in the UK and overseas. New airport lounges opened at Northwest Arkansas, Portland and Kansas City airports in the US and Cairns and Brisbane airports in Australia, meaning it now operates 28 lounges globally.

Working together for a brighter future

As the Group continued to work towards its target of net zero carbon operations by 2038, its commitment to sustainability was once again independently recognised. In 2025, MAG was names a Financial Times European Climate Leader for the fifth time, as well as retaining its five-star GRESB rating. It also received a ‘gold standard’ award by EcoVadis, placing MAG in the top 5% of rated businesses.  

Across the reporting period, MAG welcomed updates from UK Government about the use and domestic production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), including that the UK’s SAF Mandate, and the creation of a Revenue Certainty Mechanism (RCM) for domestic SAF. The creation of an RCM, which has now been passed into law, will assist the UK in realising the potential of a domestic SAF industry, which will ensure that the cost of flying remains accessible for passengers, while creating tens of thousands of green jobs in the UK.

In May, MAG launched its new five-year Sustainability Strategy ‘Creating a sustainable future for all’. The new Strategy builds on the more than two decades progress and focus that has placed sustainability at the core of how MAG operates. The Strategy has two main focus areas: Protecting our Environment and Community at our Core, with a number of targets in place, including reducing scope 1&2 market-based emissions by 48%, supporting 70,000 young people through education programmes, and donating £1.5m to local communities, all by 2030. You can read the full Strategy here.

Click here to read the full MAG annual report.

With the busy bank holiday period, May marked another record-breaking month for Manchester Airports Group. The group – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands – saw 6.1m passengers choosing its airports, an increase of 2.9% on last year.  

The rolling 12-month passenger total for the Group was 65.5m, up 5.3% year-on-year. 

Manchester Airport saw more than 2.9m passengers travelling through its terminals, which was a 5% increase on the same month last year and the 20^th consecutive record-breaking month for passenger numbers. The Northern gateway’s rolling 12-month passenger total was 31.5m, up 7.7%.  

At London Stansted, a record 2.7m passengers took advantage of the airport’s leading European network for their half-term getaway, up 0.8% year- on- year. The rolling 12-month passenger total was 29.9m, up 4% on 2024.  

East Midlands Airport served 447,000 passengers in May, up 2.7% on the same month last year with more passengers choosing the airport for an effortless half-term break. The rolling 12-month total stands at 4m passengers, a decrease of 2.8% year-on-year.  

Operational performance across the Group remained strong, with 99% of passengers passing  through security in 15 minutes or less.  

Cargo volumes across the Group increased in May. East Midlands reported the most significant growth with an increase of 9.7%, carrying more than 34,000 tonnes of cargo for the month. This increase came as the UK’s largest pure freight operation welcomed two new cargo operators, Atlas Air and Yun Express, both of which are operating services direct to China.  

Traffic figures for May came as MAG published its new five-year Sustainability Strategy; Creating a sustainable future for all. The strategy sets out clear and ambitious targets focused on decarbonisation, nature conservation and community engagement. Examples of these targets include transitioning to net zero carbon operations by 2038 and investing a minimum of £1.5m in local communities by 2030. To read the full strategy, please click here.  

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A strong Easter getaway drove a positive performance for MAG in April, with more than 5.5m people passing through its airports, up 5.1% year-on-year.  

That means Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG) rolling 12-month total is 65.3m passengers. The Group operates Manchester, East Midlands and London Stansted Airports. 

Manchester Airport welcomed 2.6m passengers across the month, an increase of 9.1% year-on year. The Northern gateway’s annual growth remained strong, serving 31.4m passengers over the past 12 months, up 8.2% on the prior 12-month period.  

London Stansted saw 2.5m passengers travel through its terminal in April, making the most of its extensive and affordable route network. Good Friday marked the London airport’s busiest day of the year so far with 94k passengers taking to the skies. The Airport’s 12 month rolling total was 29.9m passengers, moving it closer to the 30m milestone.  

East Midlands served nearly 320,000 passengers in April, with 4m passengers having travelled through the region’s preferred airport in the last year.  

Throughout the busy Easter holidays, MAG’s airports continued to provide strong operational performance for passengers.  More than 99% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less at all three airports. 

MAG also launched its new UK Trade Barometer in partnership with The Growth Alliance earlier in May. The Barometer asks UK business about their present and future international trade intentions. During a launch event at Manchester Airport, a panel of senior business leaders discussed the UK trade environment, leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bev Craig spoke about the role the region was playing in driving international trade. To see the full findings, click here. 

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served a record-breaking 65m passengers in the year to March 2025.

Driven by market-leading growth at Manchester and London Stansted Airports, that was up 6.1% on the same period last year.

MAG – which also operates East Midlands Airport - served 4.7m passengers in March, an increase of 7.8% from the same month in 2024. This marked another record for the Group.

Manchester - the UK’s global gateway in the North - handled 31m passengers in the 12 months to March 2025, with London Stansted welcoming 29m passengers across the period.

Across March, London Stansted served 2.3m passengers, up 7.5% on the same month last year. Manchester Airport served 2.2m passengers – an increase of 10.4% year-on-year.

Home to the UK’s largest pure freight operation, East Midlands Airport handled more than 35,000 tonnes of cargo in March, up 27.2% on the same month in 2024. In the year to March 2025, the airport served more than 4m passengers.

MAG continued to offer passengers high service levels across March, with more than 99% of passengers across the Group passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At Manchester Airport the figure was 100%, at London Stansted and East Midlands Airport it was 99%.

MAG CEO, Ken O’Toole said:

“I am proud of how our airports continue to perform, offering passengers a wide choice of destinations and high levels of service when they travel.

“It is pleasing to see that focus on choice, value and service proving popular with passengers and translating into these record-breaking numbers.

“Our performance is testament to the hard work from colleagues right across MAG, and I thank them for their ongoing commitment.

“With more than £2.5bn of investment planned across MAG over the coming years, I look forward to unveiling our transformations that will further enhance the passenger experience and drive increased regional and national economic growth.”

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 4.2 million passengers in February, an increase of 4.1% from the same month in 2024.

The rolling 12-month passenger total for Group—which operates Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands airports—was 64.8m in the year to February 2025, up 6.7%.

 Manchester and London Stansted both celebrated a record February, serving more than 2m each for the first time across the month.

Manchester Airport’s passenger numbers increased by 5.9% year-on-year, with the North’s global gateway seeing its rolling 12-month passenger total surpass 31m passengers for the first time in its history. London Stansted saw a passenger increase of 4.8% on February 2024. That resulted in February also being a record-breaking month for MAG as a whole.

East Midlands Airport rolling 12-month total increased by 0.8% year-on-year, with it serving more than 4m passengers across the 12 months to February 2025. The airport, which has the largest pure freight operation of any UK airport, carried more than 31,000 tonnes of cargo across the month, up 10.6% compared to the same month in 2024.

Operational performance continued to be strong across the Group with 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at Manchester and East Midlands Airports. The figure was 98% at London Stansted.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 3.9m passengers across January, an increase of 0.5% on the same month in 2024.

The rolling 12-month passenger total for the Group – which operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports – was 64.7m in the year to January 2025, up 7.3% on the year to January 2024.

At Manchester Airport, 1.9m passengers chose the Northern gateway to escape the January blues, with figures up 8.3% on 2024. The rolling total for the airport also was up by 9.5% with a running total of 30m passengers for the last 12 months.  

London Stansted served 1.9m passengers across the month, while more than 135,000 passengers travelled through East Midlands Airport. Rolling 12-month passenger numbers were up at both airports, with an increase of 5.6% at London Stansted and 3% at East Midlands.

Across all three of MAG’s airports, operational performance stayed consistently strong at more than 99% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less across January.

This year MAG heads into the final 12 months of Manchester Airport’s Transformation Programme which will complete the works on Terminal 2. Plans to extend London Stansted’s terminal are under development, while East Midlands will continue its progress in its £120m refurbishment of facilities.

As part of the Chancellor’s landmark speech on investment in January, it was announced that that East Midlands Airport has partnered with Prologis to advance plans for the Freeport site at the Airport, which will unlock £1bn of investment in and around the airport.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) saw 4.6m passengers travel through its airports in December, up 7.9% on December 2023.

Rolling 12-month figures show that MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – served 64.7m passengers in the year to December 2024, marking a successful end to the year.

At Manchester Airport, 2.2m passengers flew through the Northern hub, an increase of 10.9% on the same month in 2023. London Stansted also served 2.2m passengers across the month, an increase of 7.4%.

Both airports recorded their busiest ever Christmas Days, with more than 22,500 passengers flying through Manchester Airport, and more than 5,400 travelling through London Stansted for festive breaks.

More than 150,000 passengers chose East Midlands Airport for their getaways in December, bringing its rolling total for 2024 to 4.1m, up 5.1% year-on-year.

Operational performance across the Group remained strong throughout December. At East Midlands Airport and London Stansted 99% of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure at Manchester Airport was 98%.

Across 2024, MAG marked a number of significant milestones as it continued its focus on investment across its three airports and growth of travel services business, CAVU.

Manchester Airport officially joined the ’30 Million Club’ in September putting it alongside some of the biggest airports in the world. The Airport’s Transformation Programme continued to reach significant milestones across the year, including the announcement of a suite of new retail units that will feature in the regenerated part of Terminal 2, alongside significant construction milestones across the airfield, boarding facilities and other key areas. The programme is due for completion in 2025, when the state-of-the-art facility will handle around 70% of the airport’s traffic.

London Stansted unveiled its £1.1bn investment programme announced at the Government’s International Investment Summit in October, which will increase the Airport’s terminal capacity and enhance the passenger experience.  Later in the year, London Stansted also published a long-term Sustainable Development Plan, which outlines its future vision and plans to unlock the potential of its existing single runway.

East Midlands Airport was nominated for multiple national awards in 2024, and was a finalist for ‘Airport of the Year’ for both the National Transport Awards and the Travel Industry Awards by TTG. In April, the Airport released a new study which showed that that more than 12,500 new jobs and £1.8bn in economic value could be created through growth of the Airport’s cargo operation by 2030. The study showcased East Midland Airport’s role as the UK’s largest pure freight operation, powering UK trade on the global stage.

CAVU, MAG’s digital services division, which specialises in providing end-to-end passenger products and experiences, also had a positive year. In May, CAVU announced the launch of aether, Manchester Airport’s private terminal. The premium travel experience is available for all passengers travelling with partner airlines, from low-cost, to full service long-haul carriers. Later in the year, the division also announced the acquisition of Parkos - a leading European platform for comparing and booking airport car parking.

Ken O’Toole, MAG CEO, said:

“Reflecting on the last 12 months, I am proud of the performance across Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports and CAVU. Record-breaking passenger numbers demonstrated that our airports are offering extensive and varied route networks, and are delivering the positive experience that passengers are looking for.

 “December’s passenger numbers signalled a strong end to the year, with year-on-year growth across the Group and record numbers of travellers using Manchester and London Stansted on Christmas Day.”

“Looking forward, 2025 will be significant for MAG as we complete Manchester Airport’s Transformation Programme after more than £1bn of investment. We will also progress work on London Stansted’s terminal extension and continue to deliver £120m of improvements at East Midlands Airport. These investments will sit alongside our priority to offer the best possible experience for our passengers and introduction of the latest technology across the Group.”

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) saw 4.4m passengers travel through its airports in November, up 9.5% on the same month last year.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show that MAG – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – has served 64.3m passengers in the year to November 2024.

At Manchester Airport 2.1m passengers flew through the Northern hub, an increase of 13.4% on 2023. London Stansted also served 2.1m passengers across the month, an 8.3% increase year-on-year.

More than 150,000 passengers travelled through East Midlands Airport in November, bringing its rolling total for the year to date to 4.2m, up 7% year-on-year.

Operational performance across the Group remained strong across the month of November, with more than 99% of passengers at all three airports passing through security in 15 minutes or less.

The publication of today’s figures come after MAG released its half-year results.  A record-breaking summer saw more than 37m passengers travel through a MAG airport between April – September. The Group reported an adjusted EBITDA of £378.1m at the half-year, up from £346.1m during the same period last year. Operating profit rose to £244.5m (HY24: £218.2m).

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A record-breaking summer delivered a positive first-half performance for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), as it drove forward investment programmes at all its airports.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, alongside travel services business CAVU, today published its interim results for the period 1 April – 30 September 2024. The Group reported an adjusted EBITDA of £378.1m at the half-year, up from £346.1m during the same period last year. Profit before taxation was £139.6m (FY24: £115.9m).

That was on half-year revenues of £768.5m (FY24: £705.6m). The strong financial performance was driven primarily by record passenger volumes passing through MAG’s airports during the summer season. Collectively, the Group handled 37.3m passengers across the first six months of the financial year, up 6.9% on the same period last year.

In recognition of its commitment to creating a more sustainable future for all, MAG was pleased to retain its five-star ESG rating for the fourth year in a row from GRESB – a leading independent sustainability benchmarking tool. This rating recognises the Group’s robust and credible approach to sustainability, focused on decarbonising aviation, inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals and supporting local communities. That was outlined alongside a wide range of other achievements in MAG’s recently-published annual CSR Report.

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport welcomed 17.8m passengers in the first half of the year. Its rolling annual total hit 30m in September for the first time in its history, putting it in the same bracket as airports including La Guardia, in New York, and Melbourne Airport, Australia.

Manchester continued to attract a range of new short and long-haul carriers, underlining its role as the UK’s global gateway in the North. In July, Juneyao Air began its three-time weekly service to Shanghai – the first time a direct route to the Chinese city has been launched outside of London in the UK.

MAG also continues to make good progress on its Manchester Airport Transformation Programme. The 10-year project is due for completion in the second half of 2025, at which point more than 70% of all passengers will use Manchester’s new Terminal 2.

London Stansted

London Stansted served a record-breaking number of passengers in the first six months of the year, with 16.7m passing through its terminal. It has gone on to record its busiest ever day, in October, where 107,000 passengers passed through in 24 hours.

London Stansted already has more European connections than any other UK airport, and has built on this further with new routes including links to Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, Linz and Reggio Calabria. Emirates’ twice daily service to Dubai continued to be extremely popular with passengers, as the airline opened a new passenger lounge at the Airport for business and first-class passengers.

MAG also announced plans to invest £1.1bn in London Stansted over the next five years during the Government’s International Investment Summit, in October. The plans include the previously announced extension to the Airport’s terminal to enhance the passenger experience, alongside the construction of its on-site 14.3MW solar farm.

Last week, London Stansted published its draft Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) for the next 20 years. It sets out MAG’s updated forecasts, which indicate the airport’s existing runway could handle up to 51m passenger per annum with no change to the aircraft movements it is currently permitted to operate.

East Midlands

Over the six months, 2.8m people passed through East Midlands Airport. TUI grew its route network with a new service to Naples, while Jet2.com commenced a service to Symi. Eastern Airways switched its operation from Paris Orly to the central hub, Paris Charles De Gaulle, offering connections to destinations worldwide.

The airport’s cargo operations continue to perform well, handling more than 183,000 tonnes of freight in the period. 

CAVU

CAVU delivered a strong first half, with revenues up 10% year-on-year and EBITDA up 13.5%. It now operates in 32 countries, across 286 airports, offering more than 3,000 products to airport passengers including lounges and car parking.

The division is preparing to open several new international Escape Lounges, including at Brisbane Airport in Australia, Northwest Arkansas National Airport and Kansas City International Airport in the US, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico. It recently launched aether, a private terminal that can be booked by passengers on commercial flights from Manchester Airport.

In October, CAVU announced its acquisition of Parkos, a European platform for airport car parking with more than 1,000 providers in 15 countries across the continent.

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said:

“Across the summer, one in five UK air passengers chose to fly through a MAG airport for business, leisure, to study or visit friends and family.

"This is testament to the strength of our route networks, our commitment to providing great choice and value to all our customers, and to always striving to deliver a positive passenger experience.

"While our industry faces challenges both in the UK and globally, such as increasing taxation and rising costs linked to the push towards full decarbonisation of air travel, MAG’s strong financial and operational performance makes us well-placed to drive forward our investment programmes as we continue to grow.

"Looking ahead to the next six months, we will be working with the Government to recognise and maximise the benefits of international connectivity and infrastructure investment for UK plc."

MAG also delivered a strong operational performance during its record-breaking summer, with more than 99% of all passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at all three of its airports and positive customer satisfaction scores received across the board.

Recent data also showed high levels of passenger satisfaction across the Group. Between April and September, 97% of passengers rated their experience at East Midlands Airport as ‘Good, ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent’, with the figure standing at 91% at Manchester Airport and 87% at London Stansted.

This operational performance was cemented by findings in the CAA’s Annual Airport Accessibility Report which awarded the highest possible ‘Very Good’ rating to London Stansted and East Midlands’ services for passengers with additional needs, with Manchester Airport also rated as ‘Good’.

As part of the Group’s commitment to achieving net zero operations by 2038, MAG has introduced a growing fleet of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on to its airport campuses, and most recently receiving a new electric ambulift at East Midlands Airport to support passengers with additional travel needs.

The second half of this financial year will mark the final year of MAG’s current Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy ‘Working together for a brighter future’, first published in 2020. The Group will publish its new Sustainability Strategy in the spring, which will set out a new set of commitments to the environment, skills and communities up to 2030.

Passenger figures in October for the Group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports - were 4.7% higher than in the same month last year, taking MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total close to 64m – up 8.3% year-on-year.

October also saw London Stansted mark its busiest day of operations in its history, with 107,000 passengers travelling through its terminal on 27 October. Across the month, the airport welcomed 2.7m passengers in total, up 3.8% on the same month in 2023. This takes London Stansted’s rolling 12-month passenger total to 29.4m, up 6.7% year-on-year. The month also saw a £1.1bn investment at London Stansted announced at the Government’s Investment Summit. This programme will include an extension to the existing terminal building to improve the passenger experience, and the construction of the onsite 14.3Mw Solar Farm that will help to meet the airport’s energy needs.

Manchester Airport served 2.8m passengers across the month, up 6.8% on October last year. After reaching the milestone of serving 30m passengers within a 12 month period last month.

East Midlands Airport welcomed 400,000 passengers across October, with passenger figures down slightly year-on-year as the airport moves into the winter season.  East Midland’s rolling 12-month passenger total is up 9.0% year-on-year, standing at 4.2m. Across the month, more than 31,000 tonnes of cargo came through the hub.

Operational performance across the Group remained strong this month, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At London Stansted and Manchester Airport, the figure was 99%.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) had a record-breaking summer season, highlighting strong passenger demand for air travel.

Across September 6.3m passengers travelled through a MAG airport, which was 5.7% higher than in the same month in 2023.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show the Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – served 63.7m passengers in the year to September 2024, surpassing the previous record of 63.4m set in August. This means that more than 1 in 5 people from the UK have travelled through a MAG airport in the last 12 months.

Manchester Airport reached a significant milestone this month, when its rolling 12-month passenger total reached 30 million for the first time in its history, up 10.5% from September 2023. This sees Manchester Airport rub shoulders with some of the best-known airports in the world, including La Guardia, in New York and Melbourne Airport, in Australia.  

As the UK’s global gateway in the North, Manchester Airport boasts the most extensive route network outside of London with more than 200 destinations on offer. 3.1m passengers flew through in the ‘shoulder season’, up by 8% in 2023, with Mallorca and Turkey proving particularly popular.

At London Stansted Airport, another record-breaking month was celebrated with 2.7m passengers travelling through its terminal across September, a 3.4% increase on  2023. The busiest ever September saw passengers jetting off to sun-seeking destinations including Alicante and Faro.

East Midlands Airport l welcomed nearly 500,000 passengers in September, up 4.9% on the same month in 2023. Across the month, more than 34,000 tonnes of cargo came through the  hub which was  an increase of 9% from 2023.

Operational performance across the Group remained strong this month, with more than 99% of passengers at East Midlands Airport and London Stansted passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At Manchester Airport, it was 98%.

September also saw MAG’s CEO, Ken O’Toole call for aviation to be at the forefront of Government’s Industrial Strategy. Writing in an article published by MAG, he highlighted aviation as a key enabler of the global success of high-value service industries.

Mr O’Toole, said:

“In delivering a record-breaking September, it was pleasing to round-off a strong summer season across MAG.

“This reflects the popularity of the routes we offer at all three of our airports, whether people are travelling for business, leisure, to study or visit friends and family. By combining this choice with strong service levels and by working with our airlines to make international travel as accessible and affordable as possible, we have been able to give people what they want throughout the summer.

“This underlines the importance of aviation to the economic fortunes of the UK, both as a source of jobs and opportunity and an enabler of key internationally-focussed sectors – that is why we look forward to working with Government on plans to boost growth across the country in the months ahead.”

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is celebrating a record-breaking summer season, as passenger numbers reached an all-time high.

In August, nearly 7m people travelled through a MAG airport, which was 6.6% higher than in the same month in 2023.

That meant that across the peak summer season – July to August – more than 13m passengers chose a MAG airport to start their holidays or overseas trips.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show the Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – has served 63.4m passengers in the year to August 2024.

August was Manchester Airport’s busiest ever month on record, serving 3.4m passengers, which was up 8.8% on August 2023.

London Stansted also recorded its busiest ever month with 3.1million passengers flying through its terminal - an increase of 4.9% on August 2023. The month also saw the four busiest days in the airport’s history. The busiest day was 23 August with more than 103,000 passengers travelling through the airport, exceeding the previous busiest day on 24 August 2018.

East Midlands Airport served more than 540,000 passengers across August, which was up 2.8% on the same month in 2023. Over the summer season so far, more than two million passengers chose to fly from East Midlands Airport, benefitting from the recent improvements delivered as part of the five- year £120m investment into the airport.

Operational performance across the Group remained strong across the month of August, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At London Stansted the figure was at 99%, and at Manchester Airport it was 98%.

Ken O’Toole, MAG CEO, said:

“More than 13m passengers travelled through MAG’s three airports over the peak summer holiday, which reflects the excellent choice of destinations we offer to people travelling for all reasons.

"I am proud of the consistently strong operational performance we have delivered throughout the summer, meaning people were able to focus on relaxing and starting their holidays as soon as they set foot in our airports.

“We have live investment programmes in place at all three of our airports, that will deliver improvements and enhance the passenger experience into the future.

“I would like to thank colleagues across MAG for their ongoing hard work to deliver for our passengers.”

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) continues to perform well during the summer season, as passenger numbers reach their peak.

In July, 6.6m people travelled through a MAG airport, which was 5.1% higher than the same month in 2023.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show the Group – which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – has served 62.9m passengers in the year to July 2024.

Manchester Airport served 3.2m passengers which was an increase of 6.8% on July 2023.

The Airport recorded its highest ever rolling 12-month passenger figure, with 29.6m passengers travelling through the Northern gateway in the year to July. This figure was up from the previous highest total of 29.4m passengers recorded in September 2019.

 London Stansted had it busiest July on record, welcoming 2.9m passengers, which was an increase of 3.4% on the same month in 2023.

East Midlands Airport welcomed more than 520,000 passengers, a figure which was up 5.2% on July 2023.

Operational performance across the Group remains strong, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less. At London Stansted the figure was at 99%, and at Manchester Airport it was 97%.

This week, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published its annual Airport Accessibility Report. All of MAG’s airports achieved positive ratings with London Stansted and East Midlands both achieving the highest possible ‘very good’ rating, with Manchester Airport receiving a ‘good’ rating. The positive outcome of the CAA’s Report comes after MAG’s investment in its infrastructure and staff to ensure that passengers with additional travel needs can use its airports with confidence and ease.

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In June, 6.3m passengers travelled through a MAG airport, which was 7% higher than the same month in 2023.

Rolling 12-month traffic figures show that the Group - which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports - has served 62.6m passengers in the year to June 2024.

Manchester and London Stansted Airports continue to have record breaking months. Manchester Airport served serving 3m passengers in June - up 6.7% year-on- year. London Stansted welcomed 2.8m passengers across the month, a figure which was up 8.3% on June 2023.

East Midlands Airport served more than half a million passengers across June, up 3.1% year-on-year.

Operational performance across the Group remains strong, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less, with the figure standing at 97% at both Manchester and London Stansted Airports.

Passenger satisfaction levels also demonstrate the positive experiences travellers are having at MAG airports. In the first six months of the year, nine out of 10 passengers rated their experience as ‘Excellent’, ‘Very Good’, or ‘Good’.

Last week, MAG published its annual results, with the Group announcing it has served 61.3m passengers in the year ended 31 March 2024, alongside record revenues of £1.2bn. MAG is now embarking on an investment programme of £2bn over the next five years across the Group – including the completion of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme in 2025.

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·       The UK’s largest group of airports posted record revenues of £1.2bn over the year

·       MAG is investing £2bn in its airports over the next five years, expanding capacity and improving customer service

·       Nine out of ten of passengers in the first six months of 2024 rated their experience as good, very good or excellent

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) today reported a positive set of annual results, as it continues with transformational investment programmes across its airports.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 61.3m passengers in the year to 31 March 2024, exceeding passenger levels recorded in 2019-20 for the first time.

In the period 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024, the Group posted revenues of £1.2bn and an Adjusted EBITDA of £507m, up 23% year-on-year. Operating profit stood at £240.1m after accounting for one-offs, up from £28.6m in 2022-23.

This performance provides strong foundations for MAG to press ahead, in partnership with its airlines, on an ambitious programme of capital expenditure that will see it invest around £2bn in its airports over the next five years.

That investment will help drive growth and prosperity in the regions the Group serves, by creating jobs and stimulating international trade in high-value sectors.

As the UK prepares to elect a new government, CEO Ken O’Toole said MAG was uniquely placed to support the successful delivery of a new Industrial Strategy aimed at creating a balanced and globally-competitive economy.

Mr O’Toole, who is presenting his first full set of annual results as CEO, said: “I am pleased to announce these positive results for 2023-24, which demonstrate the vital role our airports play in connecting people and businesses to the world.

“Our growing route networks are providing access to more than 200 destinations, and we are committed to giving passengers the best possible choice to help them shape their journeys to suit their needs.

“I am proud of the high levels of customer service we have been able to provide across this reporting period and thank all of our colleagues and partners for delivering that.

“MAG has also continued to play a leading role in supporting the transition to net zero carbon aviation by 2050, and that will continue in earnest in the year ahead.

“As an island trading nation, we know that aviation has a critical role to play in the UK’s economic future. Aviation creates high quality jobs and enables global trade, investment and tourism, and we know that the UK’s economic sectors that will drive the most growth in the years ahead rely on global connectivity more than others.

“As the UK elects a new government, we look forward to working with them on an industrial strategy for the country that is underpinned by the sustainable growth of aviation.”

Growing businesses in the UK and internationally

MAG’s airports delivered strong passenger growth over the year. London Stansted became the first major UK airport to surpass pre-pandemic traffic levels in July 2023, and has since been operating with record passenger numbers month-on-month. Across 2023-24, London Stansted served 28.5m passengers, up 12% year-on-year and equal to 106% of traffic served in 2019-20.

Manchester Airport served 28.8m passengers across the year, up 14% on last year, and equivalent to 102% of traffic in 2019-20. East Midlands Airport served 4.0m passengers, up 21% year-on-year and 89% of pre-pandemic traffic.

Across the reporting year, route networks at all three of MAG’s airports continued to grow.

Low cost short-haul capacity increased across the Group, with Ryanair, Jet2.com, easyJet and TUI all adding to their route networks, alongside the return of British Airways to London Stansted operating popular destinations across Europe.

Long-haul connectivity also continued to recover. At Manchester Airport, Virgin Atlantic restored its direct route to Las Vegas – once again becoming the only airport outside of London to offer direct flights to America’s West Coast.

On 1 July 2024, the airport launched a new service to Shanghai with Juneyao Air, providing the UK's first direct connection outside London to China’s financial capital. London Stansted also expanded its reach to the Middle East earlier in the year, launching a new four times weekly service to Amman with Royal Jordanian.

MAG’s global airport services business CAVU has also seen its international reach continue to grow. CAVU, which delivers digital and physical solutions to enhance the end-to-end passenger journey, now has a presence in more than 300 airports across 34 countries, and operates 26 airport lounges across the UK and US – including at all three of MAG’s airports and Bristol Airport.

Strong customer experience, backed by investment

All three of MAG’s airports delivered a strong customer experience throughout the year, with 96% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less across the peak summer months of June, July and August 2023. New surveys carried out in the first six months of 2024 showed that nine out of ten passengers rated their experience in MAG airports as good, very good or excellent.

MAG continues to make good progress on its £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme, which is modernising and more than doubling the size of Terminal 2 to significantly enhance the experience for passengers.

Passenger feedback has been very positive for the new facilities that have already opened, and it was confirmed in November 2023 that the new terminal had been awarded prestigious Prix Versailles recognition for its architectural and design quality. The full transformation will be complete in 2025.

MAG secured planning permission in October 2023 to extend London Stansted’s terminal. The programme will transform the passenger experience and provide capacity to accommodate growth at the airport towards its agreed limit of 43m passengers per year.

Analysis by Optimal Economics has shown that the scheme will create 5,000 more jobs and double the airport’s GVA to £2bn per year.

The Group is also investing £120m in a range of improvement projects at East Midlands Airport.

Creating a more sustainable future

MAG also reported positive progress on its commitment to reaching net zero carbon in its own operations by 2038, and to supporting the wider industry’s efforts to reach net zero by 2050, including recognition as one of the Financial Times’ European Climate Leaders for the third year in a row and retaining its five-star GRESB ESG rating. 

In March 2024, MAG published industry-leading research with transport sustainability experts ICF, which found that using the 27m tonnes of annual UK household waste to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) would be at least five times better for the environment than burning the waste to generate electricity.

The research concluded that if all the waste intended for incineration were used to make SAF, the carbon saving would be equivalent to the emissions of at least 46 million people flying from London to Madrid every year.

Through this research and its wider industry partnerships, MAG is working with the UK Government on how to support the creation of a thriving UK SAF industry with policies such as a revenue certainty mechanism to give price confidence to SAF producers, and improvements to the national waste hierarchy.

East Midlands Airport also announced in September 2023 a new partnership with the UK’s largest hydrogen cluster, ‘East Midlands Hydrogen’, which will include a new 100% hydrogen pipeline that would help to meet the airport’s projected demand of liquid hydrogen by 2050.

Linking together MAG’s commitment to aviation decarbonisation and providing grass-roots education opportunities to local communities, in October 2023 the Group launched its Jet Zero Curriculum at its MAG Connect Aerozones.

The launch of the scheme delivered on one of the five pledges the Group made in support of the Government’s Jet Zero Strategy in 2022. The curriculum will educate thousands of young people about SAF, its production, and the role it will play in aviation decarbonisation using an interactive game format.

Across the reporting period more than 5,500 pupils visited MAG’s Aerozones, which inspire school-aged children about future careers in the aviation industry.

The Group also continues to invest in its local communities through Community Trust Funds, which this year contributed more than £750,000 to local charitable organisations and community groups.

ENDS

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Notes to Editors:

MAG surveyed 5,225 passengers as they travelled through its airports between 1 January and 12 June 2024. Passengers waiting in departure gates were randomly selected to answer a series of questions about their experience at the airport. When asked to rate their overall experience at the airport that day, 88.2% of passengers answered either good, very good or excellent.

The figures across MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – were equal to 104% of passenger numbers seen in May 2019.

Manchester Airport once again had a record breaking month, serving 2.8m passengers, up 11% year-on- year. London Stansted also recorded its busiest ever May, welcoming 2.7m passengers across the month, a figure which was up 6.4% on May 2023.

Both Airport’s traffic was equal to 106% of passengers served in May 2019.

East Midlands Airport served more than 400,000 passengers across May, up 10.5% year on year, and equal to 87% of traffic in May 2019.

Operational performance across the Group remains  strong as it enters the peak summer period with 99% of passengers at Manchester Airport passing through security in 15 minutes or less, with the figure standing at 97% at London Stansted and 100% at East Midlands Airport.

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·        5.2m passengers travelled through all three airports

·        Manchester and London Stansted once again saw record monthly passenger volumes

·        The total for the Group was equal to 101% of traffic seen in April 2019

MAG saw 5.2m passengers pass through its airports in April, up 8% year-on year as the Group marked the beginning of its summer season.

The figures across MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – were equal to 101% of passenger numbers seen in April 2019.

London Stansted and Manchester Airports once again recorded record months, serving 2.5m and 2.4m passengers respectively, up 5.5% and 10.9% year-on-year. London Stansted’s traffic was equal to 104% of passengers served in April 2019, and Manchester’s was 101%.

East Midlands Airport saw close to 330,000 passengers pass through its terminal across the month, up 5% year on year, and equal to 83% of traffic in April 2019.

Operational performance across the Group remains consistently strong, and in March 100% of passengers at all three airports passed through security in 15 minutes or less.

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·        UK’s largest airports group welcomed 4.6m passenger in March

·        London Stansted had its busiest 12 months on record – with 28.5m passengers travelling through the airport

More than 61m passengers travelled through MAG airports in the 12 months to the end of March - up 13.4% year-on-year.

MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports – served 4.6m passengers in March, equal to 103% of 2019 levels, and up 12.4% on the same month last year.

London Stansted recorded its busiest 12 months ever, with 28.5m passengers travelling through the airport in the year to the end of March 2024 – up 11.8% on last year. Across what was also its busiest March on record, London Stansted served 2.2m passengers – up 10.8% on last year and equal to 104% of 2019 levels.

Manchester Airport also had a record month, serving 2.2m passengers in March – the sixth consecutive month it recorded its best-ever performance. The figure was 104% of 2019 levels, up 12.3% year-on-year.

East Midlands Airport had the highest year-on-year increases in the Group this month – reaching an annual total of 4.1m passengers for the first time since 2019 – up 22.4% on last year. Across March, the airport welcomed 240,000 passengers, up 30.7% on the same months last year, and equal to 94% of 2019 levels.

Operational performance across the Group remains consistently strong, and in March 100% of passengers at all three airports passed through security in 15 minutes or less.

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: “We work hard to ensure our airports provide the best possible choice of destinations to passengers - whatever their reason for travel - and in a way that makes international travel as affordable and accessible as possible.

“These latest figures demonstrate that our airports are meeting the needs of passengers up and down the country, which in turn helps create jobs and drive economic prosperity in the regions we serve.

“London Stansted is now serving more passengers than it did before the pandemic – which is testament to the value and ease it offers passengers to an unrivalled choice of European destinations and connections to the Middle East.

“Through the transformation programmes we’re delivering across the Group, MAG is investing in the future of air travel, and working to provide an excellent experience for passengers travelling through our airports.”

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-          Manchester and London Stansted had their busiest Februarys on record – serving 1.9m passengers each

-          100% of passengers at MAG’s airports passed through security in less than 15 minutes

-          MAG recently announced new research which shows that making SAF from bin bag waste would be five times better for the environment than burning it for electricity

A successful February half-term getaway saw Manchester Airports Group (MAG) serve 4m passengers across its airports last month.

The total for the Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, was up 14% year-on-year, and was equal to 103% of February 2019 figures.

February once again saw Manchester and London Stansted reveal record months, with their passenger totals equalling 106% and 103% of 2019 levels respectively. Both airports served 1.9m  passengers across the month, up 14.2% and 12.2% year-on-year, respectively.  Even without the extra leap day year, passenger numbers for both airports would have still exceeded all previous records.

East Midlands saw its monthly traffic increase by 33% year-on-year, with 183,000 passengers travelling through the airport, which was equal to 85% of 2019 levels.

Delivering on its commitment to providing excellent passenger experience, 100% passengers at all three of MAG airports passed through security in less than 15 minutes.

MAG published its latest traffic figures after industry coalition, Sustainable Aviation (SA) published its new Manifesto ahead of a general election this year. The Manifesto calls on the UK Government to accelerate aviation’s transition to net zero so that the country can reap significant environmental and economic benefits.

Last week, MAG published new research from ICF which shows that the reduction in carbon emissions from using bin bag waste to make SAF would be at least five times greater than that achieved by incinerating the same waste to generate electricity. 

The research found that SAF made from waste emits 89% less carbon than burning conventional jet fuel. This means that using waste to make SAF results in a much bigger reduction in carbon emissions than incinerating it to make electricity - because nearly 50% of all UK electricity already comes from renewable sources. 

The emissions saving of generating energy from waste is expected to get smaller and smaller – eventually reaching zero - as the UK works towards all its electricity coming from renewable sources by 2035. 

The research found that, if all the rubbish the UK currently incinerates was used to make SAF instead, the carbon saving would be equivalent to the emissions of at least 46 million people flying from London Stansted Airport to Madrid every year.

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·       Manchester and London Stansted both recorded their busiest ever Januarys and served 101% of 2019 passenger levels across the month

·       East Midlands Airport’s passenger performance was 30% up compared to last year.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) had  a strong start to 2024, serving 3.9m passengers across its airports in January.

The passenger total for the Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, was up 9% year-on-year, and was equal to 100% of January 2019 figures.

London Stansted and Manchester Airports both recorded their busiest ever Januarys, with their passenger totals equalling 101% of 2019 levels. London Stansted Airport served 1.9m  passengers across the month, up 6.9%, and Manchester Airport served 1.8m  passengers – up 9.5% year-on-year.

East Midlands saw its monthly traffic increase by 30% year-on-year, with 177,000 passengers travelling through the airport, which was equal to 82% of 2019 levels.

Service levels across MAG airport remained high as the new year began, where 100% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at both Manchester and East Midlands Airports, with the figure 99% at London Stansted.

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·       Manchester and London Stansted both recorded their busiest Decembers ever

·       New £120m investment programme announced at East Midlands Airport

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) recorded a strong performance in December, during which 4.3m passengers passed through its airports.

That meant the month’s passenger total was 103% of 2019 levels, and up by a fifth year-on-year for the Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports.

London Stansted and Manchester both recorded their busiest Decembers on record, serving 2m passengers each – up 12.1% and 16.9% year-on-year respectively and both ahead of 2019 levels.

East Midlands Airport served more than 190,000 passengers across December, a figure which represented 93% of pre-pandemic traffic.

This performance means that MAG recorded a total of 60m passengers for the 2023 calendar year – a figure which matches the Group’s pre-pandemic annual total. London Stansted’s calendar year total of almost 28m passengers was its third busiest on record.  

Service levels across MAG airport remained high across December, where 100% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at East Midlands Airport, with the figure standing at 99% at Manchester Airport and 96% at London Stansted.

Last week, East Midlands Airport announced an investment programme of more than £120m to improve all aspects of the passenger experience over the next five years. The programme will include expanding the security hall to facilitate next generation scanning equipment, and an improvement to customer seating and heating and cooling in the terminal building. It will also see upgrades to the airport’s air traffic control systems and a reconstruction of its taxiways.

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: “I am pleased to see how well our airports performed in what is one our busiest months of the year - ensuring families could be reunited and people could enjoy their well-earned breaks over the festive period – while continuously offering high levels of customer service.

“This strength of performance over the entire calendar year is a demonstration of the choice, ease, and convenience our airports offer to millions of people across the UK and around the world. I am proud to see MAG once again serving 60m passengers annually following a strong recovery from the most difficult period in our industry’s history.

“The £120m investment in East Midlands Airport, alongside the £440m final phase of investment in Manchester’s Terminal 2 and plans to extend London Stansted’s terminal reinforces MAG’s commitment to improving the passenger experience and investing in a sustainable future for our sector, and the regions we serve.”

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The Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, saw its collective traffic figures surpass pre-pandemic levels for the second month in a row, with November’s figure representing 102% of 2019 levels.

London Stansted served close to 2m passengers across the month, representing 104% of November 2019 traffic levels. Manchester Airport also surpassed pre-pandemic traffic in November, serving 1.9m passengers, which represented 102% of 2019 levels. Passenger numbers for both airports were up 7.5% and 13.8% year-on-year respectively.

East Midlands Airport served more than 188,000 passengers across November, a figure which represented 91% of pre-pandemic traffic.

Service levels across MAG remain high in the build-up to the busy Christmas travel period, with 100% of passengers passing through security in 15 minutes or less at Manchester and East Midlands Airport, with the figure standing at 98% at London Stansted.

Last week, MAG published its interim results where it announced record half-year revenues of £705.6m. Between April and September, the Group served 39.4m passengers – a figure which was up 4.4mm year-on-year and represented 96% of pre-pandemic levels.

The positive performance was driven by a combination of the strong recovery of short haul, low-cost airlines, the return of key long-haul services and the introduction of new airlines to its airports, and puts MAG in a strong position to continue its investment in its airports to improve customer service and support sustainable growth.

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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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·       Passenger levels at London Stansted were 100% of those seen in September 2019

·       Service levels across all three of MAG’s airports were very high across the month

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 5.9m passengers across its airports in September.

Traffic across the Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, was up 21% on September 2022.

Service levels in September remained high, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in less than 15 minutes. The figure was 99% for London Stansted and 98% at Manchester.

London Stansted served 2.6m passengers during the month, slightly ahead of the volumes recorded in September 2019.

Manchester Airport served 2.8m passengers in September – an increase of 12% on September 2022 and equal to 96% of pre-pandemic levels. East Midlands’ September traffic of just under 500,000 passengers was 25% higher than the same month in 2022, equivalent to 84% of pre-Covid traffic.

Across the group, the 5.9m figure represented 97% of 2019 levels.

On 1^st October, Ken O’Toole assumed the role of MAG CEO, as Charlie Cornish stepped down after 13 years. Ken had previously held several senior roles across MAG, most recently at Deputy CEO and formerly as CEO of both London Stansted and Manchester Airports. Charlie Cornish now sits as MAG’s Chairman, following the retirement of Sir Adrian Montague.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 6.5m passengers across its airports in August, rounding off a successful peak summer period.

Traffic across the Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, was up 13% on August 2022 – and was 96% of 2019 levels.

In a survey of more than 2,000 passengers across the Group, 94% rated their airport experience in July and August as ‘good’, ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ – demonstrating the high levels of service MAG has delivered for travellers during its busiest time of the year.

High service levels across August were also shown through the Groups’ security performance, with 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passing through security in less than 15 minutes in August. The figure for both Manchester and London Stansted was 98%.

MAG’s 12-month rolling passenger total sits close to 58m, up 40% on the total in August last year.

London Stansted’s recovery continues to see traffic surpass pre-Covid levels, serving 2.9m passengers across the month, equivalent to 102% of levels in August 2019.

Manchester Airport served 3.1m passengers in August – 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.

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 ENDS

·       MAG handled 6.3m passengers in July, equal to 97% of pre-Covid levels

·       MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total stands at 57m

Manchester Airports Group ‘s (MAG) focus on delivering maximum choice and value to passengers drove a strong performance in July, as figures show London Stansted became the first major UK airport to reach pre-pandemic passenger levels.

The airport saw 2.8m passengers pass through its terminal, which was equivalent to 102% of levels seen in July 2019. Last month was the busiest July the airport had ever seen, and the third busiest month in its history.

London Stansted serves more European destinations than any other airport in the UK, offering passengers the choice they look for when booking their summer breaks, business trips or to visit friends and family. It serves as important gateway for visitors to the capital.

This breadth of choice and value is seen across MAG - which also owns and operates Manchester and East Midlands Airports. MAG served 6.3m passengers across the month. Manchester Airport served 2.9m passengers, equivalent to 94% of pre-pandemic levels, and East Midlands Airport served 495,000 passengers, representing 87% of traffic seen in July 2019.

The rolling 12-month passenger total for the Group is now more than 57 million passengers – up 51% on last year.

All three of MAG’s airports have maintained their high levels of service as the summer season has continued. In July 100% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passed through security in 15 minutes or less, the figure was 97% at London Stansted and 96% at Manchester.

In the CAA’s annual Airport Accessibility Report published in July, all three of MAG’s airports received the highest possible ‘very good’ rating from the regulator. The official ratings saw Manchester and London Stansted improve their performance, while East Midlands Airport maintained its rating which saw it rated the Europe’s top-performing airport at The Ozion Accessibility Awards last year.

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·       All airport served more than 90% of June 2019 passenger levels.

·       MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total stands at 56m

·       The Group published its annual results earlier this month, recording a revenue of £1bn for the first time in its history.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) saw more than 5.8m passengers pass through its airports in June, an increase of 13.7% on June 2022.

The Group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports also recorded a rolling 12-month passenger total of more than 56 million passengers – up 67.8% on last year.

Manchester Airport served 2.8m passengers across the month – up 15% on June 2022, and London Stansted served 2.6m passengers – up 11% on last year. East Midlands Airport served 487,000 passengers in June, up 22% on June 2022.

All three airports passenger volumes were equivalent to more than 90% of June 2019 levels. London Stansted’s recovery continues to lead the way – and in June was 98% of 2019 levels. Manchester Airport’s passenger levels were equivalent to 94% and East Midlands’ stood at 91%. Collectively, the Group’s passenger figures were 96% of those seen in June 2019.

Across the early part of the summer season, MAG has delivered a consistent level of customer service for passengers. In the quarter from April-June 99% of passengers at East Midlands Airport passed through security in 15 minutes or less, the figure was 97% at London Stansted and 95% at Manchester. As the Group prepares for its busiest period when school holidays begin in July, it is working hard to ensure this high level of service continues.

Earlier this month, MAG published its annual results for the period 1^st April 2022-31^st March 2023. Across the reporting period, MAG served 54m passengers which was equivalent to 91% of passengers seen in 2019/20. For the first time in its history, the Group recorded a revenue of £1bn as its recovery from the pandemic continued and is now looking towards a period of growth and investment across its airports.

Last week, the MAG announced it was submitting a planning application for a terminal extension at London Stansted Airport. The plans will significantly improve the experience for passengers and provide terminal capacity for the airport’s growth within its agreed planning consent limits.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports served 5.4 million passengers in May, up by 16.8% on the same month in 2022.

London Stansted and Manchester Airport both served 2.5 million passengers each. Stansted’s overall figure was up 19% on last year, with Manchester’s increasing by 16% year-on-year.

East Midlands Airports served around 400,000 passengers in May – up 12% on 2022.

MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total to May 2023 stood at 55.5 million passengers – up 92% on the total to May 2022.

Service levels across the Group were strong across the month, with 99% of passengers at East Midlands Airport getting through security in under 15 minutes. At London Stansted the figure stood at 96%, and at Manchester Airport the figure was 97%.

All three airports saw some of their busiest periods of the year so far as passengers travelled for May half-term holidays. Across the school break period, the Group collectively served approximately 2 million passengers.

Earlier this month, MAG announced it was launching a first of a kind operational apprenticeship scheme at Manchester Airport. The scheme will see around 30 apprentices complete a two-year rotational programme, with training which spans the airport journey. Upon completion, students will receive a qualification equivalent to a foundation degree debt-free, all while earning a competitive salary. Those who complete the scheme will enter into a permanent role at the airport, with opportunities to develop into leadership roles.

Anyone above the age of 18 with the equivalent of 80 UCAS points can apply for the scheme until 30^th June. More details can be found here.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 4.8 million passengers in April, as passenger operations continue to ramp-up towards the peak summer season.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports saw year-on-year passenger numbers increase by 16.4%.

London Stansted and Manchester Airport both served more than 2 million passengers each, totalling 2.4m and 2.2m passengers respectively. Stansted’s overall figure was up 16% on last year, with Manchester’s increasing by 15% year-on-year.

East Midlands Airport saw the highest overall percentage increase for the month of April, serving more than 300,000 passengers – up 25% on 2022.

MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total to April 2023 stood at 54.8 million passengers – up 123% on the total to April 2022.

Service levels across all three airports remain strong, with 99% of passengers at East Midlands Airport getting through security in under 15 minutes. At London Stansted the figure stood at  98%, and at  Manchester Airport the figure was 96%.

In April, MAG welcomed the publication of Sustainable Aviation’s (SA) updated Decarbonisation Roadmap. Formally launched at the Sustainable Skies Summit at Farnborough, the Report set out the progress the UK aviation industry in making in the roll out of low and zero emission flight technologies. The Road-Map also explained how the UK could position itself as a world leader in aviation decarbonisation, but that increased support from the UK Government is needed to ensure this opportunity is not lost.

The Government’s Jet Zero Council, of which MAG is a founding member, also convened for its latest meeting at the Sustainable Skies Summit to discuss the industry’s progress towards net zero by 2050.

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• 4 million passengers travelled through MAG airports in March – equal to 92% of 2019 levels
• MAG served 54 million passengers in the 12 months to March 2023
• 700,000 passengers flew out of MAG airports over the Easter weekend

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) served 92% of pre-pandemic passengers in March, as the 2023 summer season began.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 4 million passengers in March – up 163% on 2022.

London Stansted served just under 2 million passengers across the month, representing 94% of pre-pandemic traffic, with Manchester Airport serving 1.9 million passengers – representing 93% of 2019 levels.

East Midlands Airport served 183,000 passengers, representing 72% of pre-pandemic levels.

MAG’s rolling 12-month passenger total to March 2023 stood at 54 million passengers – 88% of 2019 levels.

The aviation industry’s 2023 summer flying schedules officially started towards the end of the month, on 26^th March, and all of MAG’s airports have performed well as the season began

Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, MAG delivered strong service levels, with 99% of passengers at London Stansted and East Midlands Airports passing through security in 15 minutes or less. The figure stood at 97% for Manchester Airport. Across the four-day weekend – 7^th-11^th April - MAG collectively saw approximately 700,000 passengers travel through its airports.

Strong service levels continue to be driven by recruitment since January 2022, and as the aviation industry enters its busiest period of the year, MAG remains confident that all three of its airports are well resourced to get passengers on their way throughout the summer.

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·       MAG’s rolling 12 months passenger total stands at 53 million

·       In February, London Stansted marked 10 years of MAG ownership, celebrating its increase in passenger numbers and airport investment since 2013

Passenger volumes across Manchester Airports Group (MAG) in February were 90% of those seen pre-pandemic.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 3.5 million passengers in February.

That marked an increase of 47% on February 2022, when Covid-19 testing requirements began to ease for travellers.

Manchester Airport served 1.7 million passengers last month, representing the highest proportion of 2019 traffic across MAG, at 93%.

London Stansted also handled 1.7 million passengers across the month - representing 92% of travellers served in 2019. East Midlands Airport’s traffic for the month was 64% of pre-pandemic levels.

In February, London Stansted marked 10 years of MAG ownership, over which time the airport’s passenger figures rose from 17 million in 2013, to 28 million in 2019 – now making it one of the UK’s largest airports. Since acquisition, MAG has invested millions of pounds in the airport’s facilities and introduced new airlines including Jet2 and Emirates.

London Stansted now serves more European destinations than any other UK airport, and in 2021 secured planning permissions to increase its passenger capacity to 43 million passengers per year.

All three of MAG's airports are continuing to provide good service levels to passengers as the industry nears the official start of its summer season. Service levels have been primarily driven by recruitment over the last 12 months, where since February 2022, MAG has welcomed more than 1,600 new security officers, over 1,000 of which were at Manchester Airport.

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MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 3.6 million passengers in January.

The figure was up by more than 140% on January 2022, when the Group served just 37% of pre-pandemic traffic, owing to Omicron testing requirements that remained in place for passengers travelling to and from the UK.

London Stansted served 1.8 million passengers across the month - representing 94% of pre-pandemic traffic. Manchester Airport served 1.6 million passengers – equivalent to 90% of passengers served in the same month in 2019. East Midlands Airport’s traffic for the month was 63% of pre-pandemic levels.

Across MAG, January’s passenger figures were 91% of those seen in the same month in 2019.

In January, Manchester Airport also announced the final phase of its £1.3bn transformation programme. The £440m investment will update the existing Terminal 2 infrastructure, to bring it in line with the state-of-the-art extension, which opened to passengers in July 2021.

The investment is set to unlock billions in economic activity and create more than 500 jobs in the construction phase alone. A further 16,400 extra jobs will also be generated by 2040 as a result of the economic activity stimulated by the expansion of the airport and its route network. York Aviation research also shows that the Airport’s current contribution to the Northern economy of £3.5bn could increase by nearly 80%, to £6.3bn by 2040.

The announcement was welcomed by a broad range of supporters, including the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper, and the Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton.

As part of its initiatives to make its airports as accessible as possible for all passengers, MAG was also proud to announce the creation of its partnership with SignLive, which provides Deaf customers with interpretation in British Sign Language (BSL) when using and contacting it’s airports.

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·       MAG served 3.7 million passengers in December 2022, equivalent to 90% of pre-pandemic levels

·       Total passenger numbers for the 2022 calendar year stood at just under 50 million

·       Continued strong recovery driven by reintroduction of vast majority of airlines’ routes

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) ended 2022 with a continued strong passenger performance, figures published for December show.

MAG, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 3.7 million passengers in December – which equated to 90% of passengers seen in the same month in 2019.

London Stansted served 1.8 million passengers across the month - representing 93% of pre-pandemic traffic - as the airport’s pace of recovery continues to stand out. Manchester Airport served 1.7 million passengers in December – equivalent to 88% of passengers served in the same month in 2019.

East Midlands Airport’s traffic for the month was 75% of pre-pandemic levels, as more than 150,000 passengers passed through its terminal.

MAG’s total passenger numbers for the 2022 calendar year stood at nearly 50 million – more than three times the number in 2021. This strong performance across the Group was driven by a strong recovery in demand for international travel as Covid-19 restrictions were removed in March, and the reintroduction of the vast majority of airlines’ pre-pandemic routes – with strong levels of growth across both short and long-haul travel.

MAG CEO Charlie Cornish said: “It was great to see so many passengers back enjoying air travel again over the Christmas period and our traffic figures for 2022 demonstrate the strong recovery we have seen across all of our airports over the past 12 months.

“This reflects our focus on working with our airlines to provide the best possible choice and value to passengers.

“Combined with our investment in service and customer experience, this sets us up well for a positive 2023.”

Operational performance in December remained strong, with 99% of passengers at London Stansted and East Midlands Airports passing through security 15 minutes or less, with the figure for Manchester Airport at 95%.

During industrial action by PCS Union members in late December, Manchester Airport worked closely with partners including UK Border Force to maintain normal service levels for arriving passengers and enable airlines to operate full schedules on strike days..

In December, MAG published its interim financial results for 2022-23, reporting that it had served 30.5 million passengers in the first six months of the year – which  represented 84% of traffic seen across the same period before the pandemic.

The Group recorded an operating profit of £22.8 million, compared with losses of £75.7 million in the equivalent period last year and increased revenues from £158.7 million to £538.8 million.

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·       London Stansted served 97% of 2019 traffic – it’s highest proportion of pre-pandemic passenger numbers so far

·       Figures for November come after MAG published its interim results earlier this month where it served 30.5 million passengers, equating to 84% of pre-Covid traffic

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) continues to see a strong passenger performance across its three airports, figures for November show.

The Group, which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served 3.6 million passengers in November - representing 92% of passengers handled in the same month in 2019.

London Stansted saw its passenger numbers near 100% of pre-Covid levels across November, in the highest proportion of traffic seen at the airport throughout the recovery period.

The airport served just more than 1.8 million passengers in November - 97% of numbers seen in the same month in 2019.

London Stansted’s recovery has been driven by its wide range of popular European destinations which have continued to stimulate passenger traffic, and at some points outstripping demand seen before the pandemic.

Manchester Airport served 1.6 million passengers, equating to 90% of pre-pandemic traffic, with East Midlands Airport also delivering a strong performance – serving 70% of traffic seen in 2019.

The Group’s 12 month rolling passenger figure totalled 48 million passengers, which is an increase of 280% on 2021.

On 7^th December MAG published its interim financial results for 2022-23. In the first six months of the year the Group served 30.5 million passengers, representing 84% of traffic seen across the same period before the pandemic.

MAG recorded an operating profit of £22.8 million for the first half of the year, compared with losses of £75.7 million in the equivalent period last year and increased revenues from £158.7 million to £538.8 million.

The Group attributes its strong performance between April and September to the reintroduction of the vast majority of its’ airline’s pre-pandemic routes - this meant there was strong levels of recovery across both short and long-haul travel.

MAG’s decision not to impose capacity restrictions on its airlines also contributed to its strong performance, with carriers allowed to meet passenger demand over the summer period.

Operational performance continues to improve across the Group. In November, 99% of passengers at London Stansted and East Midlands Airports passing through security in less than 15 minutes. This figure stood at 97% for passengers at Manchester Airport.

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Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, served just more than five million passengers in October - 93% of passengers served in the same month in 2019.

The figure is up 7% on last month, with passenger demand stimulated by the October half-term school holidays.

Both London Stansted and Manchester Airports served around 2.3 million passengers, equating to 94% and 93% of pre-pandemic traffic.

East Midlands Airport’s recovery also continued, serving more than 350,000 passengers across the month – equivalent to 84% of traffic seen in 2019, which was up 16% month on month.

The Group’s 12 month rolling passenger total was more than 46.7 million which is an increase of 336% on 2021.

As passenger number continue to increase close to pre-covid levels, so too have the number of colleagues employed by MAG across its three airports. Since January thousands of new colleagues have started roles across the business. That has meant that, as recovery has continued, service levels have also improved significantly. For example across October, 99% of passengers at London Stansted and East Midlands Airports cleared security in 15 mins or less, with the figure standing at 87% for Manchester Airport.

MAG is now back in its normal recruitment cycle, currently advertising roles in preparation for increased demand in summer 2023.

This will ensure that passengers have the best possible airport experience next year and beyond.

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