Manchester Airport has announced the top 10 most popular Easter holiday destinations this year, as 1.1 million passengers are expected to pass through its gates in the first two weeks of April.
Data shows Dubai topping the list, rising from sixth most popular destination last year, leapfrogging Dublin, Alicante, Tenerife, Amsterdam and Palma.
The announcement follows a £440m investment from January of this year – the final phase of a £1.3bn investment under the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which launched in 2015.
Managing director, Chris Woodroofe said: “Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway in the North.
“We have a wide range of destinations for travellers from all parts of the region to choose from – whether that’s a city break, a European resort or a far-flung long-haul getaway.”
Belfast International broke entry to the top 10, as fliers look for more affordable and closer-to-home getaways amidst growing inflation, edging out popular favourite Malaga.
A number of new destinations are also now available, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Catania (Italy), Podgorica (Montenegro) and Trondheim (Norway).
| Easter Holiday Destinations Top 10 – 2023 |
| 1. Dubai |
| 2. Dublin |
| 3. Alicante |
| 4. Tenerife |
| 5. Amsterdam |
| 6. Palma |
| 7. Belfast International |
| 8. Paris Charles De Gaulle |
| 9. Antalya |
| 10. Faro |
| Data from Manchester Airports Group (MAG) |
Part of the decade-long investment plan includes new technology being used to track the flow of passengers through security, with a 100-strong “resilience team” on site to troubleshoot any issues.
Mr Woodroofe said: “We have put a range of new measures in place to make sure passengers see the airport at its best.”
The airport reported that, in February, the average time spent by passengers going through security was below 15 minutes for 96% of customers.
The flow of passengers is estimated to increase by 136,000 since the same period last year, travelling to 158 destinations on more than 7,300 flights.
To find the latest advice to have a smooth travel experience, visit: https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/passenger-guides
