PROFITS at Bournemouth Airport have sky rocketed to almost £2million with earnings increasing by more than 400 per cent in the last year.

Bournemouth Airport’s parent company, Manchester Airports Group (MAG) also announced that passenger numbers have increased by 16 per cent.

Revenue at the airport has remained static for this year at £10.1million, but the number of passengers has risen from 600,000 to 700,000.

Bournemouth Airport's earnings before interest and taxes were £1.9million for this year to March 2013 compared with a loss of £600,000 in the previous year.

Tourism and business bosses have hailed the news as a big vote of confidence for the local economy.

Mandy Payne, president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “This is such positive news for the local economy and we want to ensure that it continues to grow.

“This news sends out a clear message that Bournemouth’s doors are open for business and it is great for local investment.”

Staff numbers at Bournemouth Airport have also increased from 126 in 2012 to 181.

Recent plans for Bournemouth Airport’s main airline, Ryanair, to fly all year round have also been welcomed as a boost.

A spokesperson for MAG said: “Bournemouth Airport has continued to work hard to secure new routes and services.

“It provides a good base for the low cost sector and is performing well in relation to the difficult economic conditions.”

Bournemouth airport owner MAG has also unveiled plans to build a new £60 million business space at the Aviation Business Park in Bournemouth with potential to create 1,000 new jobs.

Neil Thompson, chief financial officer for MAG, said: "This has been a transformational year for the airport group.

“We have delivered strong passenger growth, improved our commercial performance but also exercised rigorous cost control and efficiency that has helped to deliver a strong set of results.”