Manchester Airport's passenger numbers rise in September
During September, the airport plays a key role in bringing students to Northern cities to start the new university year and this year students from China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and North America arrived in even greater numbers.
Thousands of international students arrived from around the globe, boosting passenger numbers at the UK’s third largest airport.
Students arrived from the Far East, Middle East, USA and all over Europe to some of the 25 universities inside the airport’s catchment area. Representatives from 18 different institutions were on hand to welcome students to the UK, including the universities of Leeds, Sheffield, Huddersfield, York, Liverpool, UCLAN, Bolton, Manchester and Bangor.
Following the summer peak period, lots of passengers also took advantage of cheaper prices to make the most of the last of the Mediterranean sun.
More than 2.8m people travelled through the airport’s three terminals in September. It sees the airport’s annual rolling total reach 27.6m people, a year-on-year increase of 11%.
Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “One of the key selling points of the Northern Powerhouse is the fact there are so many universities providing world class education and research.
"Giving international students quick and easy access to the towns and cities they have chosen for their studies is an example of Manchester Airport playing its role as the UK's global gateway in the North.
"It was great to play host to so many different universities from across the patch during the past month and to welcome thousands of international students to the North for the first time."
September saw an increase in aircraft movements by 6%, with more than 19,800 take offs and landings. Cargo also increased last month with 10,688 tonnes carried, an increase of 9%, which sees the annual tonnage rise to 123,600.
MAG’s other airports also performed well last month, especially London Stansted which had its busiest ever summer season.
