Manchester Airport is presently seeing its busiest summer since 2008 with passenger numbers increase in July for the 14th consecutive month.

In total over 2.2 million people passed through the UK’s third largest airport.

The figure represents a 4.4 per cent increase year on year compared to July 2012, and demonstrates the airport’s ever increasing popularity and commitment to growth.

International passenger traffic increased by over 5.5 per cent in July as families jet off on their summer holidays, plus overall traffic went up by two per cent.

From the start of the financial year to date, total traffic has surpassed 7.8 million, a year on year increase of 5.6 per cent.

Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer for MAG, owners of Manchester Airport, said: “We are delighted to see passenger numbers continuing to rise at Manchester.

“This is set to be our busiest summer in five years thanks to a host of new routes, increased services and our successful ‘Fly Manchester’ campaign helping to attract passengers throughout our large catchment area.

“We predict that numbers are set to increase even further as the summer progresses and we continue to look to add frequency and new routes to the destinations served.”

The top five foreign destinations for this summer are currently Palma, Amsterdam, Dubai, Alicante and Dalaman, with August 23rd anticipated being the busiest day of this year.

Traffic to all these destinations has increased versus July 2012, which echoes how Manchester Airport has listened to, and met, customer demand to these popular holiday destinations.

Manchester Airport is part of MAG, the UK’s second largest airport operator, serving 42 million passengers every year through its ownership and operation of Manchester, London Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports.