By the end of July Ryanair had carried 110.7 million customers so far in 2016 – with 11.3 million people flying with the Irish airline during July alone.

Its load factor increased by 1% to 96% – that’s the percentage of available seats which were sold.

The airline claims that it is the first company to carry over 11 million customers during one month.

“These record passenger figures were delivered at lower fares, and thanks to the continuing success of our ‘Always Getting Better’ programme which continues to win new customers and new markets, despite yet more French ATC strikes and continuing post-Brexit market uncertainty,” Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said.

“Our customers, and in particular families, are flying in even greater numbers this summer, thanks to Ryanair’s lower fares that are already down 10% versus last year,” he continued.

Last week the airline announced that as of September 1st it will be mandatory for adults travelling with children under 12 to pay for reserved seats – but the Irish airline will also introduce free reserved seats for travelers under 12.

One adult travelling with each child, or group of children, will be required to reserve a seat. The airline will offer a special reduced fare of €4 to book these seats.

The company says that as more passengers avail of the option to pre-book seats and its load factor (percentage of available seats sold) remained high at 94% there have been increasing instances of parents and young children being separated on its flights after being randomly allocated seats.