A record-breaking 2,430,142 people traveled through Manchester Airport in September 2015, making it the busiest September in the UK airport’s 77-year history. The year-on-year total was up 5.44% on the same month in 2014, which moved the rolling annual total for the airport to a new all-time high of 22,875,884.
An average of 81,004 people flew via Manchester every single day during the 30 days of September. The increase was driven by more flights, new destinations and a surge in holidaymakers following the end of the school holidays.
September saw scheduled international passengers increase by 7.55% on the same period last year, with a huge influx of international students arriving to study in the UK. An estimated 11,500 students arrived in Manchester Airport to study at one of Greater Manchester’s four universities (Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Bolton, University of Manchester and University of Salford).
Ken O’Toole, managing director for Manchester Airport, said, “September is always a busy month, because despite it being the end of school summer holidays, certain people take that opportunity to go away, while many others arrive to study.
“The international connectivity that Manchester Airport affords to universities beyond those just in Greater Manchester, such as in Liverpool, Yorkshire, Birmingham, Newcastle and even Scotland, should not be underestimated as it helps to make the North of England a truly competitive proposition that is both attractive and accessible globally.”