New long-haul routes have helped cargo volumes at Manchester Airport grow 20.6 per cent in July, with other MAG operated hubs also growing.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) says Manchester is playing an increasingly important role in international trade, with more direct long-haul route connections to destinations including Beijing, Singapore, Houston and Muscat.

London Stansted Airport also grew 2.1 per cent to 21,255 tonnes while East Midlands Airport was up 2.6 per cent to 27,856 tonnes.

MAG plans to invest more than £1 billion in terminal and airfield facilities in the coming decades, to allow the airports to play a greater role in providing the runway capacity the UK needs in the coming years.