Norwich Airport has seen a "significant boost" in passenger numbers since the launch of Ryanair's new routes.

Between April and October this year, the airport welcomed 316,000 passengers - a 23pc increase from the same period in 2023.

Bosses have largely credited the rise to the introduction of Ryanair flights to Alicante, Faro and Malta in April.

Over the summer months, Ryanair carried almost 63,000 passengers, exceeding the initial prediction of 60,000. 

The airline announced in May that its flights to Alicante would continue through the winter months and it has since confirmed all three routes will be back next summer.

Richard Pace, managing director of Norwich Airport, said: “The launch of the Ryanair routes has been a huge success, carrying more passengers than forecast and accounting for a total increase in passenger numbers of almost a quarter on last summer.

“The new routes have complemented TUI’s nine very popular sunshine destinations from Norwich and it’s also encouraging to see demand for KLM flights to Amsterdam grow year-on-year, providing our passengers with connections to 155 global destinations via Schiphol Airport this winter.

"We’re looking forward to a busy 2025 and continuing to offer passengers great choice with the ease and convenience of flying from their local airport."