Profits at airport operator TBI have risen nearly 50 per cent thanks to the success of discount carriers.
Its pre-tax profits at the interim stage are £21.4 million - up from £14.3 million last year.
The group, which runs Luton, Belfast and Cardiff airports, says the success of no-frills carriers such as easyJet and its focus on short-haul routes means the outlook for the business is "encouraging".
Despite September 11th, passenger numbers last month were up 9 per cent on a year ago. Turnover on a comparable basis surged 54 per cent to £107.7 million.
TBI said its performance had been helped by the decision in March to up its stake in Luton to 71 per cent but said the underlying results were also robust.
During the six months, passenger numbers were up 6 per cent on a like-for-like basis, with Luton seeing growth of 6 per cent, Cardiff 3 per cent and Belfast International 18 per cent.
TBI said growth at Belfast came despite the fact it had suffered most from the impact of foot-and-mouth disease earlier this year.
PA