AIRPORT officials in Glasgow are on a high.

Just 24 hours after playing host to the world's biggest commercial plane - an Emirates A380 - they revealed how passenger numbers for March were more than 30,000 higher than a year ago.

The latest statistics reveal that domestic flights saw Glasgow handle almost 9000 extra travellers compared to the same month in 2013. Flights in and out of London by and large accounted for the 2.9% increase.

However, international traffic grew by 5.9%, with almost 23,000 more passengers catching flights to popular destinations such as Europe and the States.

Airlines such as KLM, United and Jet2.com all reported increases in demand.

March also saw Isle of Man airline Citywing reinstate direct flights between the island and Glasgow, while US Airways confirmed it plans to lay on 19 extra return flights to Philadelphia.

Amanda McMillan, airport managing director, said: "To be able to announce further growth is extremely encouraging and rounds off what has been a historic week for Glasgow Airport.

"To have the A380 touch down on our runway was a remarkable and fitting way to celebrate 10 years of Glasgow Airport's successful partnership with Emirates which, yet again, demonstrated its commitment to Scotland."

An estimated 6000 plane spotters flocked to the airport to watch the giant double decker "super jumbo" touch down on Scottish soil for the first time.

Ms McMillan added: "April signalled the start of our busy summer schedule, with our preparations for the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup well under way."