Friday, August 23, 2024 Bournemouth Airport has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing its pre-pandemic passenger numbers for the first time. The airport recorded a 25% increase in passenger traffic over the past year, with a total of 967,000 travelers from April 2023 to March 2024. This impressive growth positions the airport to reach the one million passenger mark later this year.
The upward trend is expected to continue, bolstered by recent developments. Jet2.com has chosen Bournemouth as its 12th UK base airport, announcing 16 new destinations for 2025.
Meanwhile, tour operator TUI has expanded its operations by adding a second aircraft and 60,000 additional seats this summer. Ryanair has also made significant strides, celebrating the milestone of carrying over 10 million passengers through Bournemouth. Since launching its first route to Dublin in 1996, Ryanair has grown to operate 20 routes connecting nine European countries.
Bournemouth Airport’s international cargo operations are also on the rise, reinforcing its status as a key airfreight gateway into the UK. The airport’s expanding role supports a range of aviation activities, including pilot training, military operations, and aircraft maintenance. The success at Bournemouth Airport has contributed to a 15% increase in passenger numbers for its parent company, Regional & City Airports (RCA).
RCA, which also owns Exeter and Norwich Airports and manages Solent Airport, saw over 1.75 million passengers across its network during the year. Bournemouth Airport managing director Steve Gill, said : “Bournemouth Airport continues to go from strength to strength, providing more choice and better connectivity for the region, while supporting hundreds of skilled jobs as a major aviation hub.
We are continuing to invest in upgrading our facilities to cater for future growth and provide the best possible passenger experience.”.
