Southampton Airport is preparing for a busy summer season, with passenger numbers expected to increase by nearly 10% compared with last year.
Between June and the end of August, an estimated 147,000 passengers are forecast to depart from the airport, representing a 9.8% increase on summer 2025 and reflecting continued demand for both domestic and international travel.
Passengers can enjoy convenient access to a wide range of destinations this summer, including Amsterdam, Dublin, Guernsey, Jersey, Faro Palma de Mallorca and Alicante, alongside domestic services to destinations across the UK.
Summer 2026 also marks the first full summer season of Loganair’s Southampton-Manchester service, further strengthening connectivity between the South Coast and the North West and providing additional onward travel opportunities for passengers.
The growth comes in a year when Southampton Airport has been celebrating its unique place in aviation history. Earlier this year, the airport marked the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, which took off from the site in 1936, reinforcing Southampton’s status as one of the UK’s most historically significant aviation locations.
Maurice Boyle, Operations Director at Southampton Airport, said: “We’re delighted to see passenger demand continuing to grow at Southampton, with around 147,000 passengers expected to depart from the airport this summer.
“The first full summer of Loganair’s Manchester service and the introduction of easyJet’s leisure routes have further strengthened our network, giving passengers even greater choice and connectivity from their local airport.
“This growth highlights the increasing demand for convenient air travel from Southampton and our growing role in connecting the region with key destinations across the UK and Europe.
“In a year when we’ve celebrated Southampton’s remarkable aviation heritage and the 90th anniversary of the Spitfire’s first flight, it’s fantastic to see the airport continuing to connect people and places as we look towards the future.
“We look forward to welcoming passengers throughout the summer and helping them enjoy a smooth start to their journey.”
Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead to help ensure a seamless airport experience, including arriving in good time, pre-booking parking where possible, and checking travel requirements with their airline before departure.
Travellers are reminded that liquids carried in hand luggage must remain within the 100ml limit when travelling through security.
