MAG, the operator of Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports, saw passenger numbers grow by 3.3% in May.
The positive figures are announced in the month that the government?s consultation on the future of UK aviation comes to a close.
London Stansted Airport grew 2.1% year-on-year to welcome 2.6 million passengers in May, its busiest ever.
Manchester Airport also welcomed 2.6 million passengers, up 5.8% year-on-year, taking the number of passengers it has served in the past year to 28.9 million annual passengers, with the Northern hub predicted to handle 30 million passengers per year by the end of the current financial year.
On June 20, the government?s consultation on its Aviation 2050 Green Paper closes and MAG has called on ministers to recognise the critical role Manchester Airport will play in driving Northern growth and rebalancing the UK.
Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: ?As we edge closer to the 30m passenger mark, our role as the UK?s global gateway in the North becomes even clearer.
?Government has rightly recognised Manchester as a ?national? airport in its Aviation 2050 Green Paper and it is vital that is used as a platform to develop a proper understanding of our potential to drive economic growth and prosperity across the North.
?The are some key interventions only Government can make, such as large-scale investment in transformative projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail and the reform of aviation taxes to help stimulate new long haul connections from gateways like Manchester.
?With the right support, coupled with our own ?1bn investment, Manchester Airport can be an even greater engine of growth for the North by giving people and businesses access to the world?s most important markets.?
