UK regional airports drive record passenger growth in summer 2025, with Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle leading the surge
September 3, 2025
Airports across northern England have emerged as the fastest-growing hubs in the UK this summer, with Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds Bradford collectively handling nearly three-quarters of a million more passengers than in the same period last year, according to new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The data, published in the CAA’s latest aviation trends report, highlights how regional airports are shouldering an increasing share of the UK’s record traffic. Between April and June 2025, 81 million passengers travelled through UK airports, the highest quarterly figure on record.
UK regional airports drive passenger growth beyond London
While London’s major hubs — Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted — continue to dominate passenger flows, northern airports recorded some of the strongest year-on-year gains.
Manchester saw double-digit growth across short-haul European markets, while Liverpool benefited from expanded low-cost services. Newcastle and Leeds Bradford also reported marked increases as airlines added capacity to leisure destinations.
The performance underscores the role of regional connectivity in sustaining aviation’s recovery and ensuring that growth is distributed across the country.
CAA and ministers praise regional airport passenger growth
Selina Chadha, the CAA’s Group Director for Consumers and Markets, said the broad-based recovery reflected growing confidence across the sector.
“Reliable, on-time flights remain a priority, and it’s encouraging that delays are falling year-on-year. These numbers are a great achievement, and we continue to work across the sector to drive ever higher standards,” she said.
Aviation Minister Mike Kane also emphasised the benefits to communities beyond London. “Our airport expansion plans will make sure the industry continues to benefit from and keep up with growing demand. More passengers travelling through UK airports means increased economic growth and more jobs for people up and down the country,” he said.
Freight gains and punctuality boost UK regional airports
The report also showed UK airports shipping nearly 700,000 tonnes of freight in the three months, a 6% increase on last year, with strong demand on Asian routes. Punctuality improved markedly too, with 75% of flights departing on time, up eight percentage points from summer 2024.
Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, described the rebound as proof of aviation’s wider economic role. “Air travel is a growth engine for the UK, and the industry will continue working with the government to secure jobs, regional connectivity and competitiveness,” he said.
Regional airports set to play bigger role in UK aviation growth
With passenger volumes now exceeding pre-pandemic levels – 141 million people flew in the first half of 2025 – the CAA’s findings paint a picture of a sector firmly on its feet.
For regional airports, the gains are particularly significant, bolstering local economies and reinforcing their role as gateways for business and leisure alike.
