Stansted Airport ended 2022 with a continued strong passenger performance in December, as it continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In December, London Stansted served 1.85 million passengers, equivalent to 93 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Total passenger numbers for 2022 stood at 23.3 million, with the continued strong recovery driven by the reintroduction of the vast majority of airline routes.

The monthly total is more than double the number of passengers travelling through the airport in December 2021, and represents 93 per cent of passengers that used the airport in December 2019, before the pandemic.

Meanwhile the total passenger numbers for the entirety of 2022 are up 226 per cent on 2021.

According to the airport, the strong performance is underpinned by Stansted's extensive European route network, which was especially popular with passengers flying to visit family and friends during the festive season.

The airport also reported that 99 per cent of passengers passed through security in 15 minutes or less.

In a further boost, Emirates has announced that it is increasing its Stansted operation by resuming its second daily service to Dubai from May 1 this year, which is expected to enable more trade and economic growth in the East of England and London.

Gareth Powell, London Stansted's managing director, said: "To round the year off with another strong passenger performance in December is a great achievement, and testament to the strength of Stansted’s route network.

"This was the first festive season for three years without travel restrictions, so we were delighted to welcome so many passengers, and I’m equally pleased we were able to provide a strong operational and security performance during such a busy period.

"This success was down to the hard work and dedication of all our colleagues, and close cooperation and planning with our many partners right across the airport campus.

"Stansted’s rapid recovery during 2022 was great news for everyone connected with the airport, but my focus is now on maintaining and building upon that success as well look ahead to what we expect to be an even busier 12 months ahead of us."