Glasgow airport has returned to growth for the first time since August 2007.
The number of passengers travelling through the Scottish airport grew to 417,271 in January, a rise of 8% on the same month last year.
Amanda McMillan, Glasgow Airport’s managing director, said it had been a “hugely challenging” time for the aviation industry, but “there are now real signs of recovery in demand”.
She said the encouraging figures put the airport on track for growth in 2011, “even taking into account last week’s disappointing news from Bmi”.
Lufthansa-owned Bmi (British Midland International) announced it will stop flying between Heathrow and Glasgow from March 27, after it was reported to be losing £1 million per month on the route.
Despite Bmi’s struggles, domestic traffic overall led the way in Glasgow’s renewed growth, with a rise of 9%. International traffic grew 6.4%.
McMillan said she was “particularly pleased” with the international passenger figures, and that she expects the trend to continue in 2011.
Jet2.com is due to start flying from Glasgow later this year, and international carriers already operating from the airport also have plans to expand, she said.
Planned improvement works to major access roads in the area could also help the airport to grow, added McMillan, by expanding its catchment area into central Scotland, Lanarkshire, Dumfries, Galloway and northern England.
“We will be actively encouraging business and leisure travellers in those areas to use Glasgow Airport as their airport of choice,” said McMillan.