Member Article

Heathrow sees growth as third runway campaign continues

Heathrow has continued to experience strong growth as its campaign for expansion continues.

The West London airport saw traffic increase 2.3% to a record 56.9 million for the nine months ended 30 September 2015, with revenue following suit at £2.1bn, up 4.1 per cent.

European traffic accounts for a significant proportion of Heathrow’s growth in 2015, with almost one million more passengers than in the first nine months of 2014. The increase is largely driven by British Airways’ success in filling its substantially increased short haul seat capacity. Domestic traffic increased 0.8%.

Meanwhile, intercontinental traffic was up 1.0%, with more flights operated and on average more seats per flight.

Heathrow bosses have been pushing for expansion for several years. Plans took a significant step forward in July when an independent Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, gave the proposals for a third runway a formal nod of approval.

The plans are set to be debated by the Cabinet later this year. Many significant politicians have openly opposed the plans including the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said: “Expansion at Heathrow fills the gap in the UK’s long-term economic plan, by connecting all of Britain to global growth.

“Today’s strong set of results demonstrates that we’re moving closer to our goal of giving passengers the best airport service in the world and that we’re well-placed to make the private investment to fund expansion. Let’s make it happen.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .