LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport has had its busiest December for seven years.

This helped take total passenger figures for 2016 to more than 4.8 million – an increase of 11 per cent compared to 2015.

More than 340,000 passengers used the airport last month.

The airport, which employs many people from Widnes and Runcorn, has seen a growth in passenger numbers, airlines and services throughout 2016.

Passenger numbers have increased every month for almost two years.

Liverpool is now amongst the best when it comes to the time taken to pass through the airport both for departing and returning passengers with some of the shortest queuing and waiting times.

The cleanliness of its washrooms, ease of wayfinding and its flight information screens all score highly on a customer service survey.

Liverpool has also continued to be one of the best airports in the UK for ‘on-time performance’ with more scheduled flights departing on time than the majority of other UK airports.

Andrew Cornish, chief executive officer for Liverpool John Lennon Airport said: “2016 was a great year for the Airport and our busiest in recent years.

“We really appreciate the support of the region’s travellers, who are taking advantage of the increased choice of destinations and operators from their local airport.

“We truly are faster, easier, friendlier and by delivering a great customer experience we have seen positive passenger feedback at an all-time high, setting us firmly on track to achieve our vision: Together we will create the airport our region loves.”

The success, he said, creates more job opportunities and attracts more investment to the region’s visitor economy.