Heathrow passenger numbers up 2.4% in February
Heathrow reported a record 5.4 million passengers in February, an increase of 2.4% on last year.
Emerging markets were a key source of growth with South Asia up 12.7% and Latin America up 6.5%, boosted by airlines flying larger, fuller aircraft to Heathrow.
Domestic routes also grew strongly in February, up 3.6% as regional airline FlyBe carried an extra 17,000 passengers in the month.
Trade through Heathrow by value jumped up 5% in February on the back of growth in North American and East Asian markets, securing Heathrow’s 19th consecutive month of record cargo growth.
Heathrow published its first Export Climate Index which tracks the health of the UK’s export economy. The new report revealed that UK exporters are in their strongest position since 2000 – a positive sign as the UK approaches the anniversary of article 50 being triggered
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “Today’s figures show that Heathrow is filling up fast – if we don’t act soon to expand our nation’s global gateway, the UK will only fall further behind our European rivals.”