London Stansted’s annual passenger total has topped 24 million for only the second time in the airport’s history as the UK’s fourth busiest airport closes in on its all-time passenger record.

The total number of passengers using Stansted in the 12 months ending September reached 24,009,348, up 8.4 per cent on the previous year and just 6,000 short of the record high set in October 2007.

During September, nearly 2.2 million passengers passed through Stansted, up seven per cent on the same month last year and the second busiest September ever for the airport.

Growth continued to be driven by high load factors with 88.5 per cent of all available seats occupied on each flight.

This total was a record high for the month of September at Stansted.

Cargo volumes also continued on an upward trajectory with over 21,000 tonnes of goods and products passing through the airport’s dedicated cargo facility during the month to take the annual total to over 250,000 tonnes, an increase of 6.5 per cent over the previous year.

Stansted Airport chief executive Andrew Cowan said: “Stansted Airport has enjoyed a period of rapid and sustained growth in passenger numbers under the ownership of MAG and through long-term deals with key carriers such as Ryanair.

“This month saw us pass yet another significant milestone as we broke through the 24 million passengers a year total for only the second time in the airport’s history.”