National Express announces surge in airport passengers

In the six months to the end of June 2024, the UK’s leading scheduled coach operator has seen a 50%* increase in passenger journeys to and from Manchester Airport, compared to the same period in 2023.

The growth in passengers follows several improvements to services for Manchester Airport earlier this year:

• 540: faster journey times between Manchester and London with some journeys up to half an hour quicker, meaning customers arrive at their destination in a little over four hours

• 170: revised daily services between Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds - introducing Warrington (Hulme) to the network and also serving Manchester Airport
• 171: revised daily services between Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford and Leeds - also serving Warrington (Hulme) and Manchester Airport

An increase in passenger journeys on National Express services for Birmingham Airport followed closely, at nearly 40%* up in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2024. Services to and from Bristol Airport are also up 21%.

Ahead of the summer getaway, the nation’s favourite coach operator launched its new brand campaign, if you know, you go National Express, aimed at shifting perceptions of coach travel and encouraging people to make the savvy choice of choosing National Express as the smart way to go over other options such as driving and costly rail travel or airport parking.

Catherine Woolfe, Customer and Marketing Director for National Express UK & Ireland, said:

“We continue to invest in routes connecting our UK coach network with key airport destinations, and this increase in journeys demonstrates that savvy customers are choosing the most cost effective and sustainable transport option.

“Hundreds of services run day and night to every major airport and customers are repeatedly choosing us because they know we’re the most reliable, affordable and convenient option, with our brilliant coach drivers taking them right to the airport terminal door.

“In anticipation of a busy summer period, we’re looking forward to providing even more customers with great value coach travel and a first-class experience for their summer getaway.”

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: 

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the people of the North to the places they want to visit via our route network of more than 200 destinations – that’s better than any UK airport outside London. We’re seeing record passenger numbers and more and more of them are arriving on our unrivalled public transport links. 

“It’s great to see the excellent services provided by National Express doing so well. They help passengers not only by removing the stress from their journeys - but also by cutting the carbon footprint of travel to and from the airport.”

Nikki Bains, Head of Planning, Transport and Strategy for Birmingham Airport, said:

“The Airport Surface Access Strategy 2023 sets out targets for increasing sustainable public transport to and from Birmingham Airport. We are delighted with the increase in the use of coach services and view these services as essential in providing passengers with sustainable transport options.

“As an Airport, our connectivity by public transport is excellent and the increase in these services is testament to that.”

Ed Condon, Transport Development Manager for Bristol Airport, said: 

“National Express has been a long-time partner of Bristol Airport and it’s great to see such a positive increase in passenger journeys over the last year. We are committed to increasing the numbers of customers and staff travelling to and from the Airport by public transport, and next year will open a new Public Transport Interchange which enables the Airport to be one of the region’s largest bus and coach hubs, extending our commitment to improving public transport connectivity across the region. The project forms part of Bristol Airport’s overall multi-million-pound transformational development plan enabling 12 million passengers a year to use the Airport.”

In a recent survey conducted by National Express*, the top 10 reasons that influenced customers’ decisions to choose the coach operator for their airport journeys were:

1. Good value
2. Convenience
3. Reliable services
4. Reduces stress (don’t have to worry about driving, parking costs, cancelled services)
5. Simplicity (easy to board and find my coach)
6. Trusted brand
7. Relaxing
8. Support from staff
9. Guaranteed a seat onboard
10. Easy to travel with family and friends
    
    

Customers can expect a safe and comfortable experience on board, with leather reclining seats, free Wi-Fi, USB power sockets and a generous luggage allowance of up to 20kg. 

Visit www.nationalexpress.com to plan your journey and book tickets.

New brand campaign: if you know, you go National Express television advert is available to view here.

* 50% increase in National Express passenger journeys to and from Manchester Airport between January and June 2024, compared with January and June 2023.

* 37% increase in National Express passenger journeys to and from Birmingham Airport between January and June 2024, compared with January and June 2023.

* 21% increase in National Express passenger journeys to and from Bristol Airport between January and June 2024, compared with January and June 2023.

* A National Express Customer Panel survey was completed between 6th and 10th June 2024. The customer panel includes current, lapsed, and non-coach adult customers from across the UK. Total sample size was 677 adults.