London Stansted enjoyed its busiest July in seven years, as the launch of Thomas Cook’s trio of new long-haul flights and the summer getaway helped contribute to over two million passengers passing through the airport.

In total, 2.19 million passengers travelled through in July 2015, up 12.5 per cent on the same month last year and an increase of more than 240,000 passengers.

It was the busiest July since 2008.

The total number of passengers flying in the year rose to 21.8 million, an increase of 16.5 per cent over the previous 12 months, the highest annual rate of growth of any major UK airport.

Cargo volumes continued to increase with 233,239 tonnes shipped through Stansted in the last year, up 9.4 per cent on the previous 12 months.

Some 20,732 tonnes of freight was transported through in July alone as some carriers added extra flights in order to ease the supply chain problems caused by the backlog at the Channel Tunnel.

“The beginning of the school holidays and our trio of exciting new long-haul flights have played their part in boosting passenger numbers in July – our busiest in seven years,” said Stansted managing director, Andrew Harrison.

“It’s great to see a growing airport and over the last few months we have been growing at double the rate of Heathrow and Gatwick.

“It’s a real boost for the airport and it’s a great reflection on the East of England region and its economic vibrancy.

“During the month we welcomed the return of long-haul services to Stansted as Thomas Cook launched flights to Orlando, Las Vegas and Mexico.

“It was fitting to see those new flights depart from our newly refurbished Satellite One departure area.

“This £8 million project forms part of our wider £260 million investment programme to improve airport facilities and services for passengers and airlines.

“Looking further ahead, we are delighted to announce more good news on the airline front.

“Lufthansa’s new short and mid-haul subsidiary Eurowings will begin flights from Stansted to Vienna in November 2015.”