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Heathrow surpasses 77m passengers but fears persist over expansion delay

Passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport hit 6.76m in June taking the total number of travellers passing through the airport over the last 12 months to 77m for the first time.

The figures for the month represent a 2.3% increase compared to June 2016 and also include a record breaking day on 30 June where 259,917 passengers flew through the airport – making it the busiest day at Heathrow ever.

However, the figures come at a time when issues surrounding the third runway extension at the airport are back at the top of the agenda after a hotel tycoon submitted plans for a cheaper expansion project at Heathrow over the weekend.

The Arora Group, which is headed up by Surinder Arora, tabled the plans as part of the government’s public consultation on expansion at Heathrow amid claims that the proposals could save up to £6.7bn.

The airport has admitted it is looking at ways to bring down the cost of the expansion programme despite minister’s giving their backing to Heathrow’s £17.5bn plans for a new terminal and runway at the airport.

Construction is not expected to begin for at least another three years with the threat of legal challenges and appeals expected to hold up construction for significantly longer than that.

But with the plans still to be settled, Heathrow’s rivals have seized on the uncertainty to call for more consideration to be given to expanded capacity elsewhere to help meet soaring demand from passengers.

Speaking to the Evening Standard yesterday, a Gatwick waded into the debate and claimed through a spokesperson that the rival plan highlighted ‘the uncertainty that has dogged successive attempts to expand Heathrow’.

Luton Airport’s Nick Barton argued that a third runway at Heathrow was ‘at least ten years away from completion’ and that more needed to be done to increase capacity across the UK.

He said: “In the meantime, there has to be a much higher utilisation of existing runway capacity at other airports across the UK.”

On Heathrow’s part, the airport’s Chief Executive Officer, John Holland-Kaye, believes its record-breaking figures highlight the need to proceed with expansion and credited the government’s effort to proceed with the project.

He said: “To keep Britain competitive, we need expansion to build more connections for British passengers and exporters and we are glad to see the Government pushing forward on the next stages of the delivery. Together we are showing the world the UK remains open for business.”

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