Business and traffic commentary February 2018

07.00 12th March 2018

Heathrow's cargo performance takes off in February

§ Heathrow welcomed a record 5.4 million passengers in February, an increase of 2.4% on last year

§ Emerging markets were a key source of growth ,with South Asia up 12.7% and Latin America up 6.5%, boosted by airlines flying larger, fuller aircraft to Heathrow

§ Domestic routes also grew strongly in February, up 3.6% as regional airline Flybe carried an extra 17,000 passengers in the month

§ Trade through the UK's biggest port by value jumped by 5% in February on the back of growth in North American and East Asian markets, securing Heathrow's 19th consecutive month of record cargo growth

§ The record cargo performance is increasing the strain on Britain's global trading infrastructure and underscores the need to expand Heathrow at pace. New analysis released in February revealed that six of Britain's key trading routes, accounting for nearly 20% of the trade through Heathrow are already full - including Shanghai, Tokyo Haneda, Delhi, Mumbai, Los Angeles and Dubai

§ Heathrow published its first Export Climate Index which tracks the health of the UK's export economy. The new report revealed that UK exporters are in their strongest position since 2000 - a positive sign as the UK approaches the anniversary of article 50 being triggered

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

"Today's figures show that Heathrow is filling up fast - if we don't act soon to expand our nation's global gateway, the UK will only fall further behind our European rivals. A prosperous, global-trading Britain needs an expanded Heathrow now."