Southampton Airport handled 1.53 million passengers last year - an increase of just over a quarter, official figures showed today.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Southampton, pictured right, was among UK airports handling 217 million passengers, a rise of eight per cent.

In the period from 1987 to 2004, passenger numbers also doubled at London's airports and tripled at regional airports.

But despite the rise last year, the number of passengers travelling between the UK and North America still did not reach levels before the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the USA.

Southampton Airport, which generates more than 1,000 jobs and has been voted top UK airport by Wanderlust travel magazine, has seen massive growth on the back of the expansion of budget carrier Flybe.

The figures have been welcomed by the industry as it starts the recovery from setbacks such at 9/11, Sars and the Iraq war. But, as previously reported by the Daily Echo, airport noise campaigners have expressed concern about the growth in passenger numbers and flights locally.

Mary Finch, of the Airport Pressure Group, said: "We are left with the same difficulties of low flights, noisy flights and late flights."

Airport bosses say they are "very proud of achievements", with the airport receiving three top awards.

Meanwhile, the CAA reported that passenger traffic at the five main London airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City - grew by seven per cent last year to a total of 129 million passengers.

Traffic at the UK's regional airports increased nine per cent last year to 88 million. Of the 10 largest regional airports, the fastest growing was Newcastle - up 21 per cent to 4.72 million.