BIRMINGHAM Airport has recorded the busiest November in its history, as almost 650,000 passengers passed through the terminal last month, a 10 per cent increase on the same period last year.

The airport handled 646,945 passengers in November, beating its previous record for the month set in 2008 by 4.2 per cent. Last month’s figures also saw a rise in the number of passengers flying on long-haul services from Birmingham, up by three per cent compared to November last year. Scheduled traffic in November accounted for 88.6 per cent, with charter flights making up the remaining 11.4 per cent.

The Midlands airport looks set to finish the year with another strong performance in December, as approximately 340,000 passengers are expected to travel through Birmingham during the Christmas period – an increase of 7.4 per cent over the same period last year.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s chief executive, said: “Following news of yet another positive performance in November, which was our sixth record-breaking month of the year, we’re now looking forward to a busy Christmas period. The airport will remain open throughout Christmas and New Year, with around 6,400 passengers travelling through on Christmas Day. Flights will be departing to Montego Bay, Istanbul, Dubai, Sharm El Sheikh and Delhi, as well as many other European destinations.”