BUSINESS is flying at Birmingham Airport, which reported its busiest year ever in 2014, ending with another record month in December.

Over the twelve month calendar year, the airport handled 9,707,449 passengers, an increase of 6.5 per cent compared with 2013. It also celebrated seven record months in April, May, June, July, August, November and December and recorded Dublin, Dubai and Amsterdam as the top three routes. During December, 622,317 passengers travelled through the airport, an increase of 8.4 per cent compared with the same period the previous year and the busiest December since 2008.

Paul Kehoe, the Airport’s chief executive, said: “During 2014 we experienced seven record months and saw the completion of a major package of infrastructure works that has prepared the airport for future passenger growth. The passenger records have been achieved as a result of airlines introducing new routes and more people realising the ease of travelling to and through Birmingham Airport and the coming year looks equally exciting as we prepare for American Airlines, Norwegian and Vueling to start operations in the summer."