GUERNSEY Airport has had its busiest July ever.

Airport director Colin Le Ray confirmed there had been 92,457 passenger movements in the month – a 3% rise on last July.

The figures compare well with Jersey, which suffered a near 7% fall in passenger numbers compared to July 2008.

‘It was the highest recorded figure for July since records began,’ he said.

‘Looking at the details, the improvements have really been seen on the UK routes. We have seen growth in the UK market and, in particular, on Gatwick, Southampton and the introduction of East Midlands.

‘That route has generated new passenger movements without sucking people away from other routes.’

But Mr Le Ray warned that, despite the record month, Guernsey’s overall figures were still down on previous years.

‘July has certainly reversed what we were seeing so far this year,’ he said. ‘But even with that good July figure we are still 4% down in total on the first seven months of last year, so we need a few good months to pull us back.

‘It is encouraging, though.’

Mr Le Ray said the next two months were crucial.