Record April for Manchester Airport, Dublin and Dubai among top destinations

Manchester Airport reported a record April as more than 2.4 million passengers passed through the northern travel hub last month. That’s up from 2.2 million in 2023 and 25,000 more than the previous record in April 2019.

Dublin and Dubai were the top short-haul and long-haul destinations, respectively. The Easter holidays helped boost passenger numbers, with many airlines starting their summer schedules to popular destinations.

Holiday favorites Alicante and Tenerife rounded out the top five destinations in April, which also included holiday hotspot Amsterdam. Despite the record numbers, 93% of passengers queued for less than 10 minutes to get through security last month, with services running smoothly.

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The airport continues to urge passengers to follow steps to ensure waiting times are kept to a minimum, which includes following the 100ml liquid rule when going through security. Travelers must ensure liquids are under 100ml and placed in a clear plastic bag, while electronic items such as laptops will need to be removed. Those with medication over 100ml need a prescription or doctor’s note, although this does not apply to breast milk and infant formula.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “Here at Manchester Airport, we’re really proud to connect the North with the world. Over the last month it has been great to see so many passengers come through, taking advantage of our unrivaled route network of over 200 destinations, which gives them more choice than any airport outside of London.

“And the vast majority of those passengers had a great start to their journeys – with 93% waiting 10 minutes or less to get through security. In fact, if you’re traveling with a carry-on and check-in online, chances are you’ll arrive at the airport and go straight through security in no time.

“What this means is that you’ll be able to start your holiday at the airport, walking straight into our departure lounges and enjoying the facilities we offer – whether it’s the award-winning architecture of the new Terminal 2, the new Gaming. Point for fans of virtual reality and computer games in Terminal 1 or from the wide range of shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport.”

The airport is currently undergoing a £1.3 billion transformation programme. January marked one year since the start of work on the final phase. Although Terminal 2 is already open, work continues to double its size, meaning it will serve more than 70% of the airport’s passengers when it fully opens in 2025.

Manchester Airport’s top five most popular destinations for April

1. Dublin – 87,970 passengers

2. Amsterdam – 85,288 passengers

3. Dubai – 82,518 passengers

4. Alicante – 78,694 passengers

5. Tenerife – 72,324 passengers

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