The number of people using Manchester Airport increased again last month, marking 15 months of continuous growth for the north’s global gateway – and setting another new record-breaking milestone for annual passenger numbers, at just short of 22.5 million.

June saw a 3.05 per cent increase in passenger throughput, up from 2,247,885 in June 2014, to 2,316,492 for the same month this year.

The uplift sets a new all-time record moving annual total - 22,475,753 passengers - for Manchester Airport, which celebrated its 77th anniversary during the month, up 5.92 per cent year on year.

Meanwhile, cargo handled at the airport was up over 1,000 tonnes in June this year compared to last, with a 14.03 per cent increase from 8,090 tonnes in 2014, to 9,225 tonnes in 2015.

In particular, long-haul services to North American destinations, including Miami, Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cancun and Orlando, all performed strongly in June.

As did flights in the opposite direction, to destinations, including Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Flights to European sunshine holiday destinations experienced the traditional summer uplift; all boosted by recently commenced new services like Bologna, Split and Kefalonia, as part of airlines’ summer flying campaigns.

Ken O’Toole, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “June has set the foundations for a strong summer ahead, boosted by increased capacity on existing services, plus new destinations coming online.

“We’re ready and prepared for an even busier July and August once the schools finish, which is massively positive for Manchester Airport, but also for the local economy because more passengers mean we are able to support and create even more jobs and support even more local businesses in the process.”