UK. Manchester Airport has reached an impressive milestone after serving 30 million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time in its history.
More than 30.1 million passengers flew into or out of the travel hub between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024.
Reaching the landmark puts Manchester Airport in the so-called ‘30 Million Club’ alongside some of the world’s highest-profile international gateways.
The company noted it has the most extensive route network of any UK airport outside London, with more than 200 destinations served.
Several notable routes have been added in the last year, such as Shanghai with Juneyao Air, Las Vegas with Virgin Atlantic and Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc, which helped to achieve the passenger milestone.
In the 12-month period highlighted, the airport set monthly records in each individual month, paving the way to exceed the 30 million mark.
In September just over 3 million passengers passed through the airport – up +8% on September 2023.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “We’re proud to connect the North to the world – whether that’s for holidays, to see family and friends or for business – and breaking through the 30 million passenger barrier tells us we are giving people across the region great access to the places they want to travel to.
“It cements our position as the UK’s global gateway in the North – the biggest airport outside London – and means we are rubbing shoulders with some of the best-known airports across Europe and the world. That means greater choice, value and flexibility for the people and businesses of the North.
“Hitting this milestone comes at a really exciting time, with our transformation programme set to be fully complete next year. It means we’ll be welcoming passengers to an airport that rivals any in major capitals around Europe in its all-around look and feel, service, facilities and the destinations it serves.”
Manchester Airport’s transformation programme will be finished in 2025. When complete, more than 70% of passengers will use the new Terminal 2. The first half of the terminal opened in 2021 and the second is on track to open next year.
As reported, last month Manchester Airport announced a range of shops and food & beverage outlets to open in T2 in 2025. They include stores from Chanel, Lego and Pandora, a JD Wetherspoon pub and the Great Northern Market Hall food court.
As part of the project, T1 will close and the number of airlines operating from T3 will be reduced, making T2 the airport’s central hub.
Several airlines have already moved to T2 from T1 and T3 and more will move over coming months. 
