Manchester Airport expects busiest summer yet after record-breaking June

More than 3 million passengers travelled through Manchester Airport in June 2025, with numbers set to climb higher as the school summer holidays begin.

A total of 3,019,924 passengers travelled into or out of the airport – up by 39,000 on June 2024 – the first time the UK’s global gateway in the North has passed that mark in June.

Ahead of the start of the school summer holidays, the airport is about to enter its peak season and passengers are expected to hit their highest level around the August bank holiday weekend with 115,000 people to use the airport on Friday, August 22nd alone.

In spite of the record-breaking numbers of passengers flying from Manchester Airport in June, 99% of passengers waited less than 15 minutes to get to security and 80% waited less than five minutes.

While holiday hotspots in Spain and Turkey dominated the airport’s list of most popular destinations, Amsterdam and Dubai, which offer excellent onward connections, also made the top 10, highlighting the demand for travel to more far flung locations and making the case for recently announced new direct services to Mumbai and Bangkok from Manchester Airport.

As passenger numbers increase, the airport is reminding travellers to pack their hand baggage normal, despite the fact that new scanners are in place in all three of its terminals. In future the new scanners will mean passengers do not have to remove electronics from their hand baggage and will be able to carry liquids of more than 100 ml through security. However, the Department for Transport is advising passengers should travel as normal until all security lanes have been updated.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world. Over the course of the year that means lots of things – it can mean connecting businesses to trading partners, reuniting families and loved ones around the globe and much more.

“But over the summer months the focus is squarely on holidays and fun; not just through connecting the people of the region to their favourite destinations but also by connecting people around the world to the North’s vibrant cities, stunning scenery and globally significant events like the sold-out Oasis reunion concerts.

“So whether you’re travelling from Liverpool to Lisbon, from Didsbury to Disneyland, or from Helsinki to Heaton Park – we’re ready to provide a great service.

“We’ve got extra staff in all areas and we’ve recently opened key parts of our brand-new Terminal 2, including new check-in desks and a whole new security hall.

“In the summer months passengers can help make sure they pass through the airport smoothly by packing ready for security – so with electronic items ready to be removed from bags and no liquids of more than 100mls.

“It’s shaping up to be a great summer here – and we look forward to welcoming everyone travelling through the UK’s global gateway in the North.”