Manchester airport expects almost 500,000 half term passengers

The first February half term free of Covid-19 travel restrictions since 2020 will see 475,000 passengers use Manchester airport.

The two-week period is expected to see volumes exceeding 90% of 2019 levels for the first time since the start of the pandemic

More than 200,000 passengers are expected to fly from the northern hub this week, with pupils in areas including Merseyside, Trafford and Yorkshire on their breaks.

A further 275,000 will follow next week as schools in most of Greater Manchester and Cheshire close.

Popular destinations include Dubai, Paris, Tenerife, Alicante and Lanzarote.

The airport reported a year-on-year doubling of passenger numbers to 1.6 million for January earlier this week.

Managing director Chris Woodroofe said: “We look forward to welcoming almost half a million passengers over the half term period, and helping them get their trips off to the best possible start.

“Despite the pressures on household budgets, families remain keen to travel and we are confident that passenger numbers will continue to recover into the summer.

“During busy periods it is important that you carefully plan your journey to the airport and allow plenty of time. We have seen disruption on the rail network in recent months, so this advice is particularly important if you are travelling to the airport by train.”