All three of the Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG) biggest gateways saw increases in cargo in August.

Manchester Airport, boosted by rising bellyhold traffic through network development handled 9,837 tonnes, which was an 11.9 per cent rise on the same month last year.

August was the busiest month of the year for passenger traffic at Manchester which has started new long-haul routes this summer to Boston, Los Angeles and Beijing, while others are soon to begin to Houston, Tobago and Phuket and Mauritius, further driving bellyhold freight volumes.

London Stansted Airport saw high single-digit growth in August of 6.8 per cent compared to August 2015, handling 20,219 tonnes in the month.

Meanwhile, MAG’s busiest airport for cargo, East Midlands Airport saw cargo surge 7.1 per cent to 26,251 tonnes.