Manchester airport passenger numbers reach record levels

Passenger numbers at Manchester airport have reached record levels, passing the pre-financial crisis peak to reach 23 million in a year for the first time.

After traffic slumped 20% between 2007 and 2010, airport bosses insist that the turnaround shows that Manchester can play a “bigger and broader role” in meeting demand for flights, as Heathrow waits to see if its expansion plans are approved by the government.

The airport’s managing director, Ken O’Toole, said: “If it happens at all, it’s going to be 15-20 years, there’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge and Manchester has a role to play. We have two runways here already. We’ve announced a £1bn investment programme and we’re well equipped to play a bigger and broader role – and we’re seeing that with the level of long-haul growth.”

O’Toole said Manchester was “agnostic” on the question of whether Heathrow or Gatwick should be expanded, with both London airports claiming to be at or near capacity in terms of the number of flights they can handle. Notably, the number of planes has fallen at Manchester since its own controversial second runway was built, leaving it at a fraction of its potential 55 million-passenger annual capacity.

Work will start next year on a £1bn overhaul of the airport’s terminals and infrastructure. Manchester counts a catchment of about 22 million people within two hours’ drive, and has been pushing for improved rail and road links to increase that number, including high-speed rail.

O’Toole added: “Having HS2 [the high-speed rail link] at Manchester airport will shrink the size of the UK for passengers, meaning more people can get to an airport quicker, and the more attractive that airport is for direct services.”

New direct flights to Beijing will start next June, and Air China has made an application to fly direct from Shanghai, though an airport spokesman said that was “the start of a long process”.

While the government has talked up investment in Manchester as part of its “northern powerhouse” plans, O’Toole commented: “Ultimately, all the support in the world makes no differences unless the commercial argument stacks for airlines. With the diversity of that catchment, we’ve been successful in securing the Beijing route and others.”

Dubai, served by Emirates, remains Manchester’s most popular international route.

Manchester’s 23 millionth passenger was due to fly with easyJet to Geneva on Monday morning.