Both the Ben-my-Chree and Manannan have been sailing round the clock.

A company spokesman said:

’Latest statistics from the company show a 6% passenger increase for the 2019 festival with more than 35,900 passengers and in excess of 13,500 motorcycles travelling to the island between May 22 and June 7.

’The period saw growth across the board with more cars and vans being transported compared to the 2018 event, with a rise of 5%. The number of motorcycles travelling also rose by 2%.’

The company says advance bookings for next year’s event are already up on the 2018 bookings.

According to the Steam Packet, initial bookings for the 2020 event have seen 13,000 passengers securing a deposit booking within the first three days of TT deposit bookings opening on May 20 compared to just under 12,000 during the same period in 2018.

The airport hasn’t calculated its figures for the TT fortnight yet.