Manchester Airport has reported international traffic down by 13%, although its scheduled international passenger numbers fell by a less dramatic 5.5%. But charter traffic declined more alarmingly at minus 22.5%.

Manchester is the first of the major British and European airports to announce its May statistics, with total passengers down 14%, of which domestic was down 17.75%.

From an economic perspective, freight was down 36.3%, a figure worse than the moving annual figure of 30.4%, while aircraft movements were down 17.76% against the moving annual figure of 12.5%.

Other traffic figures for UK and European airports are awaited with interest, especially BAA's which are expected to be published shortly.