Bosses at Gatwick Airport have confirmed that passenger and cargo traffic both increased in May 2013.

More than 3.2 million people passed through the facility during the month, which was a 7.8 per cent increase on the corresponding period in 2012.

These figures were boosted by an influx of German football fans flying into the UK for the Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, as well as thousands of Chelsea fans travelling to Amsterdam for the Europa League final. School half-term also fell in May this year.

Meanwhile, 8,196 metric tonnes of cargo was transported via Gatwick - a five per cent improvement on May 2012.

Gatwick is at the centre of the highly publicised runway expansion debate and chief executive officer at the facility Stewart Wingate recently said the airport was making the most of its existing resources. Judging by these latest figures, it is hard to disagree with him.

Chief financial officer for the aviation complex Nick Dunn added: "Gatwick is pleased to see continued growth of routes to key emerging markets, including increased services to Istanbul with Turkish Airlines this month."