Increase in TT passengers at Isle of Man airport

The number of TT visitors who travelled to the Isle of Man by air has risen by 4% since last year, according to a report from the Manx airport.

A spokesman from Ronaldsway said the amount of festival traffic rose from 39,800 in 2011 to 41,100 in 2012.

Several direct charter flights to Europe also helped to boost business.

Airport director Ann Reynolds said to deal with the extra demand, some airlines supplied larger planes and increased flight frequency.

The Isle of Man TT festival 2012 was the busiest in a decade outside of its centenary year, according to the island's ferry service.

Ferry passenger figures showed a 4.3% rise in visitors and a 3.4% increase in motorcycles compared to last year.