Heathrow underlines case for expansion following busiest June on record

Heathrow has highlighted its case for expansion after it recorded 6.68 million passengers travelling on 40,626 flights during June 2015.

Figures released for passenger and aircraft movements during June 2015 have been credited too larger, quieter aircraft. In addition, seats per aircraft have increased 2.2 percent to 208 while passengers per aircraft rose 0.4 percent to 165.1.

Passenger volumes were particularly strong on routes from emerging markets, in particular Mexico which increased 23.6 percent, China growing 15.2 percent and Turkey up 3.4 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cargo volumes at Heathrow also recorded growth of 4.3 percent over the past 12 months, including increases of 44 percent to Mexico, 24.4 percent to Turkey, 19.7 percent to Brazil, 11.5 percent to India, 6.9 percent to North America and 2.8 percent to China.

Heathrow highlights the Airports Commission final report favouring expansion at the airport. It states ‘The Commission found that expanding Heathrow would produce more competition in the long-haul market. This would have the greatest and quickest positive impact for passengers because the short-haul market in the UK is already very competitive. Additional capacity at Heathrow would also allow low-cost carriers to build more substantial networks as a large number of new slots become available for the first time in several decades’

Heathrow CEO 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.”