MANCHESTER Airport added more passengers than any other UK airport between April and September, with an additional 1.27 million compared to 1.25 million at both Gatwick and Heathrow.

The airport’s annual rolling passenger numbers now stand at 27,764,247 – an increase of 9.7 per cent year on year – after more than 1.7 million flew through in November.

The top five destinations were Amsterdam, Dublin, Dubai, Tenerife, and Paris – Charles De Gaulle.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “It is pleasing to see Manchester Airport continue to grow and fulfil its role of the UK’s global gateway in the north.

“Now the summer peak is over we are continuing to invest in the airport and passengers will start to see our £1bn transformation take shape and develop over the coming winter months.”

Last week saw the airport’s owner, MAG, announce its half year results, which saw the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester receive an interim dividend of £35.7m, an increase of 18% on the previous year.

Through the airport’s unique ownership structure, this money is directly invested back into the region, funding vital projects.