GLASGOW Airport has enjoyed a sizzling start to the summer by notching up a six-year high.

It has recorded its highest passenger numbers for the month of June since 2008 as thousands of athletes prepare to jet in for the Commonwealth Games.

Almost 800,000 travellers flew in and out of the airport last month, nearly 19,450 more than a year ago. Although the total of 793,356 was the highest in six years it was easily bettered in June 2008, which attracted almost 33,560 more passengers.

But the latest statistics underline a trend which has seen numbers constantly grow over the past two years boosted by the airport's ability to attract more airlines with existing operators increasing the number of flights.

Last month saw rises in both international and domestic traffic.

Francois Bourienne, the airport's commercial director, said: "June represented the start of the busy summer season and we were pleased to continue our trend of passenger of growth.

"Airlines responded to demand by adding extra capacity on popular routes and we also welcomed the launch of new services such as easyJet's direct flights to Split, Croatia."

He added: "Our focus is now firmly on helping to deliver a successful Commonwealth Games. There are only 11 days to go until the opening ceremony and there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation building at the airport."

The Glasgow hub expects to boost numbers by at least 850,000 a year when Ryanair launch from the airport for the first time in October with seven routes including London Stansted by laying on 55 weekly return flights.

Wizz Air, Eastern Europe's biggest budget airline, is also laying on flights to the Polish cities of Katowice and Poznan that month.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk