46,200 PASSENGERS travelled through Ronaldsway Airport in January according to the latest figures issued by the Department of Infrastructure.

This is 1,600 more than in January 2010 and means passenger traffic has increased by 3.6 percent.

The strongest area of growth for traffic was the north west of England. 1,800 passengers flew to Liverpool, Manchester and Blackpool with a substantial increase of growth on the Liverpool route of 30 percent.

Ann Reynolds, director of the airport, said: "First of all I have to say that it has been a relief to experience what can only be described as a normal winter month operationally.

"Naturally, as with any January, there were one or two weather issues, but nothing close to the massive problems that we had to deal with at the end of last year.

"As a result traffic is beginning to ease back to the positive growth that we were beginning to experience during late summer and autumn of last year and a 3.6 percent increase is a comfortable start to 2011 - recognising that January last year also had weather issues.

"In fact last month recorded the second highest monthly growth for 32 months for the Airport which indicates the extraordinarily tough times that we, and our airlines, have endured over the last two and a half years."

January is traditionally seen as a quiet period for the airport and this year three percent fewer scheduled flights operated from the Island compared to the same period last year.

There were small decreases on the Blackpool, Manchester and Glasgow routes, but a 17 percent increase in the number of passengers travelling to the south west of England. The Belfast City route increased by 36 percent and the Edinburgh route increased by 20 percent. The Gatwick route was up 24 percent.

Many of the airlines have reported strong booking figures in recent weeks.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said:. "It is doubly important that at this time of year airline bookings are strong. First of all it provides confidence for the airlines operating to the Isle of Man that the future looks bright and secondly it means that the Island's hotels can look forward to a strong summer season.

"In addition the indications are that outbound flights, especially direct services to holiday destinations provided for Isle of Man residents, are also selling well and my advice would be to book early to ensure that you are able to take advantage of the huge choice of destinations available."