THERE was an overall four per cent rise in airport passenger figures in 2011, statistics show.

The figures were boosted by a strong December for the Isle of Man Airport at Ronaldsway.

A total of 710,791 passengers passed through the terminal last year - 27,801 more than in 2010.

While much of the increase was attributable to the volcanic ash and weather disruption in 2010, a spokesman said the result brings a solid end to a year where growth has been dampened by the continued state of the UK and European economies.

December saw a 16.8 per cent increase in traffic with almost 8,500 more passengers using the airport than in December 2010.

Disruptive weather in 2010 meant that, whilst a positive result for December 2011 was anticipated, the size of the increase exceeded expectation.

Traffic was also slightly boosted by sea services being disrupted last month due to stormy weather with December being the windiest on record.

Airport director Ann Reynolds was pleased with the December performance and the impact that this has had on the annual outturn.

She said: "Like many airports we originally expected 2011 to be a year of significant recovery but it became clear very early on in 2011 that the economic difficulties experienced by the UK and Europe would preclude this.

"However what we have seen here in the Isle of Man, especially in the latter half of the year, is steadily improved performance which is now much closer to our original forecasts.

"The good December passenger levels have therefore meant that the airport has turned in a solid four per cent increase in passengers for 2011 - despite the tough times that the domestic air travel industry is enduring."

13 out of the 18 scheduled routes saw an increase in passengers during December.

Liverpool traffic soared by almost 37 per cent with more than 4,000 extra passengers using the Flybe and easyJet services.

Other big increases included routes to London Gatwick and London City Airports with Flybe and Aer Arann – both up by between 17 per cent and 20 per cent.

The Flybe operation of the winter Southampton route added almost 1,400 extra passengers, and the Flybe Bristol route, together with Manx2's Gloucester service, increased South West traffic by 12.6 per cent.

The Scottish routes also performed well with each of the Edinburgh and Glasgow routes carrying around 200 additional passengers, a 30 per cent increase in Scottish traffic.

Air freight also had a bumper month with a 75 per cent increase, again as a result of the weather difficulties experienced by sea services.

The increase in total passengers in 2011, only 1.5 per cent down on 2009's annual figure, reversed a five year decline for the Airport which accelerated in mid 2008 with the start of the global recession coupled with other major disruptions.

Until March this year, only nine out of the previous 33 months resulted in an increase in traffic for the Island's airport, but since April eight out of the last nine months have shown a rise in passengers.

Ann added: "Despite the extended decline in recent years of key importance we have continued to retain almost all of our scheduled routes.

"In addition to this we have recently seen a healthy increase in charter traffic – 30 per cent in 2011 – and together this provides a firm basis for future growth."

The four per cent increase for 2011 was also welcomed by departmental member for ports David Callister MLC.

He said: "Given the challenges that still remain for our airlines during these sustained tough economic times, the outturn for the year is remarkable.

"The Island, its economy, and particularly our residents, absolutely rely upon the best network of air services offering frequent, reliable and cost effective flights year round and I am grateful to the Isle of Man operators who have not only continued to provide the network we need but have managed to generate growth during 2011.

"We look forward to working with them all in 2012 to explore further opportunities to develop the Island's air services."