Manchester Airport and London Stansted Airport (pictured above) had a strong start to 2017 as both saw rises in January, but East Midlands Airport saw a slight fall.

All are operated by MAG and Manchester handled 8,133 tonnes, up 12.4 per cent. Stansted 19,955 tonnes, up 4.5 per cent and East Midlands 26,144 tonnes, down 0.3 per cent.

Manchester ’s growth has been driven by an expanding network and increased bellyhold capacity including the new route to Beijing with Hainan Airlines, one additional Emirates Airbus A380 per day flying to Dubai with Emirates, replacing a Boeing 777 operation, coupled with increased capacity being filled on short haul routes to Europe.

MAG chief executive officer, Charlie Cornish says: “MAG operates the country’s two biggest airports with spare runway capacity. Airlines are seeing the value of the capacity we offer and our double-digit growth is testament to our airports’ strong appeal.

“We now need the Government to prioritise through its industrial and aviation strategies  the question of how we are going to make best use of the runway capacity we have in this country, by improving access to airports with capacity which are now growing significantly.

“Airports like London Stansted and Manchester can take the strain over the next decade and help deliver the vision of a Global Britain.”