More than two million passengers travelled through Manchester Airport in May 2014, as the summer season moved into full swing, which was over seven per cent higher than the same time last year.

The bumper month saw travellers enjoying two long bank holiday weekends as well as the schools’ half-term break.

Significantly, May also saw annual passenger numbers break through the Airport’s 21 million target, with Singapore Airlines carrying the 21 millionth passenger from the Northern gateway.

Now, Manchester Airport is confident that it can reach and exceed its all-time peak of 22 million passengers, achieved in 2007 – and is on track to hit this figure in the next 18 months.
                     
Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer for MAG, owner of Manchester Airport, said: “Reaching the milestone of carrying our 21 millionth passenger has been a significant achievement for us, and is a result of a huge amount of hard work in bringing airlines and passengers back to Manchester.

“We aim to continue that pattern and have already set the conditions for further growth here that will build on what we’ve already achieved.”

The month also saw the inaugural FlyNas to Jeddah flight take-off, along with a brand new American Airlines’ flight to Charlotte in North Carolina, USA, which is one of the largest hubs in America that connects passengers across North and South America.

Jet2.com also launched its new service to Vienna in Austria, a previously unserved European capital city, which the airport was keen to add to the route network for passengers using Manchester.

O’Toole added: “The new routes launched in May, together with exciting new destinations planned for 2015, will help us win back more passengers here in the North who still do not use Manchester as their departure airport of choice.

“The 22 million mark is our next target, but we are confident that Manchester can continue to deliver growth for the region.”

Also during the month, Jet2.com announced that flights to Antalya in Turkey, Kefalonia in Greece and Malta would be added to their summer programme for 2015, continuing their rapid growth at Manchester.

While Thomas Cook Airlines added a new Airbus A321 to its Manchester fleet, at the same time announcing New York JFK and Miami for 2015.

Miami was again previously unserved and has been a target city along with a number of other American destinations for Manchester Airport.