Record passenger numbers at Heathrow as calls for third runway grow

A record 6.68 million passengers travelled through Heathrow on 40,626 flights in June 2015, making it the busiest June on record both for passengers and aircraft movements.

The passenger figure is an increase of 1.1 per cent on June 2014.

Larger, quieter aircraft continued to be a driver for passenger growth at Heathrow.

Seats per aircraft increased 2.2 per cent to 208 while passengers per aircraft rose 0.4 per cent to 165.1.

Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were particularly strong to Mexico which was up 23.6 per cent, China up 15.2 per cent and Turkey up 3.4 per cent.

At the same time, the Airports Commission’s offered a clear recommendation for an expanded Heathrow last month.

The airport argues this “closed” the debate on where a new runway should be built.

The Commission found that Heathrow’s new plan for expansion can be delivered while reducing local and environmental impacts and that expansion at Heathrow is the only solution which can help British businesses compete for global growth, and support a truly national recovery built on exports, skills and investment

New analysis in the Airports Commission’s final report finds that expansion at Heathrow delivers the greatest competition benefits for passengers.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “On the first of July, the Airports Commission ended the debate on where a new runway should be built by unanimously recommending Heathrow’s new expansion plan.

“It’s now a binary choice for the British Government.

“We either expand Heathrow – creating jobs, growth, a rebalanced economy and lucrative export routes – or we do nothing and retreat as a nation.

“The answer is obvious, so let’s get on with it.”