Exeter Airport reports record surge in summer passenger numbers

Exeter Airport has announced a major rise in passenger traffic, recording a 28% increase over the summer period in what officials describe as one of the strongest year-on-year growth surges in recent memory. Between 1 April and the end of October, the airport handled 450,112 passengers, nearly 100,000 more than the same period last year.

The surge follows a transformational year for the regional hub, marked by the arrival of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in March with a new daily service to Amsterdam. It is the first time the global carrier has operated from Exeter, opening up onward connections to more than 160 international destinations. TUI also significantly expanded its presence by basing a second aircraft at the airport for the summer season, doubling its capacity to 50 flights per week serving 13 destinations.

Further growth is expected to continue into the winter, with Loganair recently launching a regular Exeter–Manchester service, the first time the route has operated in more than five years.

Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, said: “This has been a fantastic year for growth at Exeter Airport and a real vote of confidence. The arrival of KLM, offering worldwide connections via Amsterdam, together with TUI’s expanded summer programme, has transformed our route network and helped drive this strong recovery in passenger numbers.

“We’re proud that more people than ever are choosing to fly local, and that Exeter is playing a growing role in connecting the South West to the world. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our airport team and the support of our airline partners.”

TUI’s deployment of a second Boeing 737-800 delivered substantial additional capacity over the summer, including more than 65,000 seats to Greece, 60,000 to the Balearics and 40,000 to the Canary Islands.

The uplift in traffic has coincided with national recognition for Exeter Airport’s quality of service, after it was named the UK’s best airport for customer experience in an independent consumer survey.

Exeter Airport now serves 27 destinations and employs around 230 staff. It forms part of Regional & City Airports, one of the UK’s leading operators of regional airports.