Summer passenger numbers at Exeter Airport show big increase

EXETER Airport has seen summer passenger numbers soar by a record 28% driven by new routes, rising demand and 'exceptional' customer service, writes Miles O'Leary.

- Miles O'Leary

A total of 450,112 passengers travelled through the Devon airport from April 1 to the end of October this year, an increase of almost 100,000 and marking one of the highest year-on-year growth rates in its recent history.

The increase follows a landmark year that saw the launch of daily KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flights to Amsterdam in March - the first time the global carrier has operated from Exeter - as well as the decision by TUI to base a second aircraft at the airport over the summer, doubling its flying capacity with 50 flights per week to 13 destinations.