MORE passengers than ever passed through the check-in of Southampton International Airport during the first six months of this year, figures have revealed.

More than 900,000 people used the airport since the start of the year, 185,000 in June alone, with a total increase of more than three per cent on the same period last year.

Southampton Airport is not alone in its increases, with both Bournemouth International Airport reporting higher passenger numbers than last year and Swanwick-based National Air Traffic Control Centre (NATS) also handling 3.9 per cent more flights.

This news comes just 24 hours after The Daily Echo reported how residents living to the west of Southampton Airport had voiced concerns over the continuing air travel expansion across Hampshire.

Their concerns arose after NATS announced it was considering widening a flightpath over the New Forest, which is used by aircraft using both Southampton International and Bournemouth International airports.

The proposal could see up to 30 jets a day flying as low as 5,500ft over parts of the New Forest, Totton and Romsey, with residents saying they fear this will ruin the region's tranquil feel.

People living along Southampton Airport's other main flightpath, which passes over Winchester and Southampton, have been voicing their concerns over aircraft noise for years.

The NATS figures also showed that one of the biggest growth areas for flights was Poland, with 17.5 per cent of flights controlled from Swanwick heading to the country.