BOURNEMOUTH Airport has reported a surge in summer passenger numbers – with more than 100,000 extra fliers passing through its terminal. 

Between April and October, passenger numbers hit 840,210 – almost 103,000 up from the 737,224 during the same period last year. 

The increase positions the airport to surpass one million passengers in 2024, a milestone not achieved since 2008. 

The rise in passenger numbers is being attributed to TUI’s commitment to base a second aircraft at Bournemouth this summer, adding an extra 60,000 seats. 

And low-cost airline Ryanair’s continued growth, which also has two summer aircraft based at Hurn, is also being credited for the success. 

Ryanair’s 20-route network included the addition of a popular new year-round service to Agadir in Morocco, driving further interest in the airport as a “convenient regional travel hub”. 

Steve Gill, managing director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We’re thrilled to see Bournemouth Airport becoming increasingly popular as a great alternative to the busy London hubs. 

“More and more people are recognising the convenience and ease of travelling from their local airport, and with the exciting developments underway, we’re ready to offer an even wider range of destinations in the year ahead.”  

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As Hurn Airport experiences a resurgence in demand, it is also undergoing a multi-million-pound enhancement. 

Plans are in place for a terminal expansion, and improved security measures have been introduced to get passengers to the plane quicker. 

From February, the airport will welcome Jet2 for the first time ever and see the arrival of two aeroplanes. 

Jet2's launch, which was brought forward two months in response to demand, will bring 20 routes across Europe, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean in 2025. 

And such is the demand seen for Jet2’s holidays, the Leeds-Bradford based airliner will introduce a further plane for 2026. 

In August, Ryanair celebrated 10 million passengers flying with it at Bournemouth Airport and, since launching in 1996, Ryanair has grown from a single route to Dublin to 20 locations. 

This summer, Ryanair operated 120 weekly flights across 20 routes on its two aircraft – an investment of $200m and supporting more than 600 jobs.