Manchester Airports Group (MAG) saw passenger traffic grow by 5.6 per cent to 4.9 million last month, despite the impact of air traffic controller (ATC) strikes in France.
Despite this increase, MAG’s chief executive Charlie Cornish spoke out against the impact that ATC strikes are having on UK airports. The latest strike was due to take place on Tuesday (June 14).
“Industrial action in France is having has an unacceptable impact on travellers using our airports,” said Cornish. “Just the additional delays in May cost airlines and passengers at MAG airports about half a million pounds.
“But this was the 50th such event over the last seven years, so across UK airports as a whole this adds up to considerable hassle and extra cost for airlines, airports and passengers.
"Ahead of what is set to be the busiest summer on record for UK airports, it is vital that European and national agencies work together to find ways to reduce the impact of strike on passengers and airlines."
The group, which owns Manchester, Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports, has carried a total of 52.5 million passengers over the last 12 months.
During May, Manchester saw the biggest increase in traffic with a rise of 7.2 per cent to 2.2 million while Stansted grew by 4.6 per cent to 2.1 million passengers.
East Midlands also recorded an increase of 4.5 per cent to 484,000 but Bournemouth saw a drop of 6.4 per cent to 71,000 for the month.
Despite the continued strikes, traffic from Manchester to France still grew by 27 per cent in May, while Stansted increased traffic by 9.3 per cent to 23.3 million for the last 12 months.