The trailing 12 month figures (Sept ‘07 to Sept ‘08) showed a solid 34.6 per cent growth and over 8.5 million passengers handled through the airport during that period. Aircraft movements in the first three quarters showed a steady 15.5 per cent increase with cargo maintaining a familiar growth pattern, seen throughout 2008, with a steady 14.8 per cent increase.

Q3 figures alone also showed positive signs over the same July-September period last year with passenger traffic up 24.1 per cent, cargo up 13.6 per cent and aircraft movements showing a steady 13 per cent improvement.

With the summer peak travel period over, September’s monthly figures compared to the same month last year reflected more conservative growth rates by comparison yet the percentage gains far outstrip current international norms with passenger numbers increasing by 22.5 per cent while cargo traffic saw a 7.5 per cent increase with aircraft movements up by 11.3 per cent.