AN INCREASE in destinations and the effect of the Dismaland exhibition have both caused a surge in passenger numbers at Bristol Airport – leading to a record number of people using the airport as part of their travel plans.

Last month, more than three quarters of a million people passed through the Lulsgate terminal, making August the airport’s busiest ever month.

A total of 768,587 people travelled via the airport in August – a figure which is up six per cent on the previous year.

The increase in numbers is largely due to several airlines adding new destinations to their routes throughout 2015.

EasyJet flights to Bilbao, the Isle of Man, Porto, Gibraltar, Lanzarote, Catania and Zante were all launched earlier in the year, while Wizz Air began flying twice weekly to Katowice in Poland in June.

In addition, Thomson Airways added a third aircraft to its Bristol-based fleet in May, which opened up destinations including Dubrovnik, Pula and Santorini.

The airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “The growing number of passengers choosing Bristol Airport demonstrates the strong demand for air travel to and from the South West and Wales, and underlines why we continue to invest in enhancing facilities for passengers.

“By combining a comprehensive route network with a friendly and efficient airport experience, we want to be the number one choice when customers in our region are making their travel plans.”

The airport also received a significant boost to its number of inbound passengers after world-famous street artist Banksy launched his Dismaland exhibition in Weston last month.

Looking forward, staff remain confident the airport’s successes will continue.

Routes to a number of new destinations will begin in the autumn, while the Rugby World Cup – which started on Friday and will see several games played in the region – is set to further boost inbound passenger levels.