Manchester Airport Hits Record July Traffic

Manchester Airport has recorded its busiest July in history, welcoming just under 3.3 million passengers, making it the second busiest month ever for the UK’s main gateway to the North.

 

Friday, 25 July, marked a new milestone with more than 60,000 departures in a single day, while the month’s busiest overall day was 31 July, when 113,000 travellers passed through the airport. August is expected to be even busier, with 118,000 passengers forecast on Friday, 22 August, ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Despite the surge, operations remained smooth. In July, 98% of passengers cleared security in under 15 minutes, and nearly three-quarters in less than five minutes. The increase in traffic comes as travellers experience the newly opened section of Terminal 2, part of the airport’s £1.3bn decade-long transformation project.

The updated terminal features new shops and dining options, including the UK’s first LEGO Store in an airport, alongside Pandora, Rituals, and Joe & the Juice. More openings are scheduled later this year, including Chanel, a Fever Tree cocktail and champagne bar, and the Great Northern Market food court.

Holiday destinations dominated July’s top routes, with Palma de Mallorca leading (116,422 passengers), followed by Dublin (96,426) and Antalya (95,321). Long-haul favourites included Orlando, New York, and Toronto.

Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said the focus remains on providing “the best start to passengers’ holidays,” highlighting the short queues, enhanced facilities, and strong summer travel demand.

The Terminal 2 expansion, set to handle over 70% of passengers, will fully open later this year, with Terminal 1 closing. The redevelopment will also add 13 new aircraft stands, new boarding gates, and a chandelier feature paying homage to the airport’s history.