Bournemouth Airport sees annual passenger numbers near 1m

Regional & City Airports Group (RCA), which operates Bournemouth Airport, has seen pre-tax profits soar to £14.24m from £1.31m.

The operator has seen a 20 per cent rise in revenue following a 15 per cent increase in passenger numbers and growing cargo volumes.

Bournemouth Airport passenger numbers surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic levels, with full year passengers of 967,000, up 25 per cent on the previous year. Cargo operations saw very strong growth, building on the foundations laid in previous years, with 16,000 tonnes of cargo handled in the year.

RCA owns and operates Bournemouth, Exeter and Norwich Airports and holds a management contract for Solent Airport.

READ MORE: Bournemouth Airport on track for 1m passengers as Ryanair expands

It also owns XLR Executive Jet Centres at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter and Liverpool and is part of Rigby Group plc, the 12th largest family business in the UK, with a consolidated turnover of £3.5bn.

RCA said the airport is now an established gateway for airfreight into the UK, offering faster and lower cost transit from air to road and onwards into the logistics networks of the UK.

READ MORE: Jet2 set to land in Dorset with 12th UK base at Bournemouth Airport

In April 2024, Jet2.com announced its intention to open its 12th UK base at the airport in 2025, cementing the airport’s role as the UK's primary international airport south of the London system.

RCA Chief Executive Andrew Bell said: "These results are a testament to the dedication of our team and the strategic investments we've made across our network. The significant growth in passenger numbers and cargo volumes underscores our commitment to providing world-class services and infrastructure. As we continue to expand our operations and embrace innovative solutions, we're not only enhancing the travel experience but also reinforcing our position as a key player in the UK's aviation sector."