MANCHESTER Airport is flying high after being named the UK’s best airport, for a fifth year running, at the Globe Awards hosted by Travel Weekly.

The UK’s third largest airport fought off competition from the likes of Heathrow, Liverpool, Gatwick and Birmingham to receive the accolade.

The award comes after a strong 2018 for Manchester Airport, which saw it smash its all-time passenger record, as 28.2 million people passed through the airport in the calendar year.

It also saw Manchester Airport launch a wealth of new routes including Addis Ababa, Mumbai and Seattle.

Voted for by UK-wide travel agents, representatives from Manchester Airport picked up the award from John Barrowman, at an award ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.

Patrick Alexander, head of marketing, for Manchester Airport, said: “We’re delighted to receive this fantastic award, and would like to thank all the travel agents who voted for Manchester Airport.

“Last year was a great one for the airport, with record passenger numbers and expansion by lots of our airlines.

“Looking ahead, 2019 is set to be an exciting year, as well as further route expansion the first new pier on our £1 billion transformation will open in April. We’ll also be working hard to try and retain our crown for a sixth year.”