The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) has published data showing the country's air travel as having "increased significantly in 2022".
The 224 million passengers who travelled to and from UK airports took the kingdom to 75% of 2019 levels and amounted to a near-quadrupling compared to 2021, the authority reported.
"Recovery across the country has been mostly consistent, with London, regional and Scottish airports at around 74% of 2019 levels. Wales reached 79% when compared to the same period. In Northern Ireland, Belfast International reached 77 % of its 2019 passenger numbers," the UK CAA said in a statement accompanying the data.
Of the UK's 10 largest airports, Bristol came closest to the pre-lockdown era with almost eight million passengers travelling through the airport or 89% of 2019. Second was London Stansted at 83%.
Spain was the UK’s most popular European destination in 2022, with 16% of all passengers carried, followed by Ireland and Italy at around 5% each and all three at around 80% of 2019 levels. "Long haul travel to America continued to recover with more than 15 million passengers travelling, representing 70 per cent of its 2019 level," the CAA said.
“More than three times as many people flew into and from UK airports last year compared to 2021, demonstrating a clear wish by consumers to return to travel as Covid restrictions were lifted, and giving industry a well-needed boost after a difficult few years," said Anna Bowles, the UK CAA's head of consumers.