Spain still reigns when it comes to summer holidays, data has revealed.
There were 1.5 million trips between Manchester and Spanish airports in June, July and August last year, according to official figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
That is twice as many as any other country - and it doesn’t even include the Canary Islands.
In fact the Canaries - which are technically part of Spain - were the fifth most popular 'country', with 477,280 trips to and from Manchester.
Greece (734,887) was second, the USA (609,870) third and Germany (541,724) was fourth.
The data reveals how Spain’s popularity might still be sky-high, but it’s no longer soaring.
The number of summertime trips between Manchester and Spain is actually down from 1.66 million in summer 2017.
Greece, meanwhile, has been maintaining a steady ascent - with 626,940 trips in 2015, 666,757 in 2016, 704,228 in 2017 and 734,887 last summer.
In terms of individual airports, Palma in Mallorca is the most popular destination for passengers from Manchester.
There were 353,827 journeys between Manchester and Palma in summer 2018 - meaning it accounted for nearly one in four Spanish trips.
Amsterdam (263,077) was second, followed by Dubai (259,104) and Alicante (252,125).
Manchester isn’t alone in its love for Iberia.
That compared to 6.7 million journeys between the UK and the USA - the second most popular summertime destination.
Italy (5.0 million) was third, Germany (4.1 million) was fourth, and France (3.9 million) fifth.
Greece, the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands, the Canary Islands and Portugal completed the top 10.
While not all might sound like summer tourist hotspots, the figures include people travelling for work as well as pleasure in June, July and August.
