Heathrow reports record passenger numbers and strong cargo volumes
There was strong passenger growth from emerging markets, including to Mexico which was up 21%, China 16%, Turkey 5.3% and the Middle East which was up 4% as carriers continue to benefit from new aircraft including A380s.
January cargo volumes at the UK’s largest port surged 2.9% - notably to Mexico and China which were both up 28% and to Turkey volumes were up by 16%.
New routes like Vietnam Airlines’ services to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City following its switch from Gatwick last year and British Airways’ new flights to Kuala Lumpur boosted freight volumes to East Asia by 26% against January 2015.
The trend looks set to continue as Garuda Indonesia prepares to move its UK operations from Gatwick to Heathrow in March. The UK’s first non-stop services to Jakarta will provide British SMEs with improved direct access to the largest economy in Southeast Asia.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “With record passenger numbers and strong cargo volumes – it’s been a great start to 2016."