THE number of passengers using Bournemouth Airport has exceeded expectations this year - thanks to winter routes, the service to Krakow and bigger aircraft.

A business update presented to members of Bournemouth Airport's consultative committee last month outlined the performance of the airport in 2016 to date.

So far this year passenger numbers total 515,000 against a predicted figure of 466,000 - 10.5 per cent ahead of budget.

Ryanair's winter sun routes and "excellent general aviation performance" have been credited for the boost.

But although the airport at Hurn is ahead of budget, the results were 10.8 per cent down on 2015, the meeting heard.

However, airport bosses hope the winter routes will mean the end of year figures match up to last year's numbers.

The amount of passengers from July to October were also down on 2015 and 2014 - partly due to Flybe's flight schedule last year.

Managing director Paul Knight said the airport was managing costs "very closely" to try and achieve sustainability.

Ryanair had achieved their budgeted passenger loads with Thomson exceeding their expectations, he said.

There are also more P&O cruise flights planned with Thomson and Ryanair intending to run more flights utilising aircraft not based at Bournemouth.

This includes plans for Thomson to fly to Turkey next year using an aircraft not based at the airport, freeing up a plane to fly to Naples in Italy.

This would 'open up the Italian Riviera to Bournemouth's residents' the meeting heard.

Mr Knight added: ""At the recent Airport Consultative Committee meeting, I was pleased to report that passenger numbers are currently 10.5% ahead of budget. This is a result of high load factors on operating aircraft linked with additional flights during the year.

"I also reported that whilst performance is better than expected, due to the withdrawal of the Flybe operation last year, we are currently slightly behind last year's passenger figures.

"However the increase in the winter sun Ryanair flights, together with the introduction of the new Krakow flights, should mean we end the financial year with a very strong performance."