Final figures for 2018 show 61.1 million passengers used the facilities across the year, 18.2 million more than in 2013 when Mag acquired Stansted airport to add to the other two airports in the group.

Since the deal went through, Stansted has seen a 56.9% increase in passenger numbers to 28 million in 2018 while Manchester and East Midlands airports have grown by 36.7% to 20.7 million and 12.7% to 4.3 million respectively in the same period.

Mag chief strategy officer Tim Hawkins said: “The scale of growth we’ve delivered at Mag airports over the last five years reflects the hugely important contribution that they have made to driving economic growth, both nationally and in the communities around our airports.

"We are delighted to be serving 18 million extra customers every year, compared to five years ago - providing passengers with a much wider choice of routes and airlines, and good value fares.

“Much of this growth has been made possible by the single aviation market created by the European Union.

"As we prepare to exit the EU in March, it is vital that UK and EU negotiators commit to agreeing a new ‘open skies’ aviation deal in the interests of both passengers and the economy.”