11/05/2015
Heathrow Records Strong Traffic Figures
Heathrow Airport has released its latest traffic and business commentary.
In April, 6.14 million passengers travelled through the airport, with a combined passenger growth for March and April of 1.2%.
Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were found to be "particularly strong" to Mexico – an increase of 13.1% – while China was up by 16.0% and the Middle East & Central Asia rose by 3.1%. North American segments continued to see growth with volumes increasing 1.5%, the report added.
Elsewhere, there was also an increasing number of the transfer passengers making the long-haul routes viable, with combined March and April year-on-year volumes up by 1.8%.
While overall British exports remain slow, cargo volumes at Heathrow recorded growth of 2.2% overall. This includes an increase of 61.5% to Mexico, 27.5% to Turkey, 18.5% to Brazil and 9.9% to India.
The subject of a potential expansion at Heathrow has been discussed in recent months, and last week it was revealed that the findings of a long-running enquiry into the need to expand airport runway in south-east England could be further delayed in order to allow for more public consultation to be carried out.
Today's publication by Heathrow Airport referred to the suggested plans, saying members of London First – the group of businesses seeking to make London the top city for commerce – are "resoundingly in favour" of a Heathrow expansion.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said of the figures: "Expanding Heathrow delivers exactly what the UK economy needs – creating up to 180,000 new jobs and £211 billion of economic benefit right across the country, growing exports by increasing trade routes to fast-growing markets, rebalancing growth across the whole of the UK.
"Heathrow expansion isn't about a runway, it's about the future we want for Britain. Let's be ambitious about our place in the world, let's keep Britain at the heart of the global economy and let's get on with expanding Heathrow."
(JP/CD)
In April, 6.14 million passengers travelled through the airport, with a combined passenger growth for March and April of 1.2%.
Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were found to be "particularly strong" to Mexico – an increase of 13.1% – while China was up by 16.0% and the Middle East & Central Asia rose by 3.1%. North American segments continued to see growth with volumes increasing 1.5%, the report added.
Elsewhere, there was also an increasing number of the transfer passengers making the long-haul routes viable, with combined March and April year-on-year volumes up by 1.8%.
While overall British exports remain slow, cargo volumes at Heathrow recorded growth of 2.2% overall. This includes an increase of 61.5% to Mexico, 27.5% to Turkey, 18.5% to Brazil and 9.9% to India.
The subject of a potential expansion at Heathrow has been discussed in recent months, and last week it was revealed that the findings of a long-running enquiry into the need to expand airport runway in south-east England could be further delayed in order to allow for more public consultation to be carried out.
Today's publication by Heathrow Airport referred to the suggested plans, saying members of London First – the group of businesses seeking to make London the top city for commerce – are "resoundingly in favour" of a Heathrow expansion.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said of the figures: "Expanding Heathrow delivers exactly what the UK economy needs – creating up to 180,000 new jobs and £211 billion of economic benefit right across the country, growing exports by increasing trade routes to fast-growing markets, rebalancing growth across the whole of the UK.
"Heathrow expansion isn't about a runway, it's about the future we want for Britain. Let's be ambitious about our place in the world, let's keep Britain at the heart of the global economy and let's get on with expanding Heathrow."
(JP/CD)
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