Business and traffic commentary October 2017

07.00 10th November 2017

Landmark month for cargo with best performance since records began

§ Heathrow recorded a boost in passenger numbers, as the UK's hub airport welcomed over 6.5 million passengers in October (up 2.8% on last year).

§ In the 12th consecutive record breaking month for the airport, the Middle East experienced the highest growth (up 11.8%), as larger, fuller aircraft boosted passenger numbers for the region.

§ Additional FlyBe services led to an uptick in domestic travel (up 2%), with the regional airline transporting an extra 20,000 passengers.

§ October was cargo's busiest month in history and the first time that over 150,000 metric tonnes of cargo travelled through the UK's largest port. Heathrow's cargo volume levels reached record levels, for the 15th month in a row, up 9.2% compared to the same time last year.

§ Heathrow recently launched its Blueprint for Sustainable Freight, outlining practical steps the airport proposes to take to address the impact and number of freight vehicles around the airport whilst continuing to increase cargo volumes.

§ October also saw the start of the second National Policy Statement consultation - a key milestone, strengthening the case for expansion.

§ Heathrow held its 2nd annual Scotland Business Summit, hosted in partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, connecting local SMEs with Heathrow's biggest suppliers. The events ensures benefits of expanding Heathrow stretch as far as Scotland.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

"Record passenger and cargo figures underline Heathrow's position as a critical national asset. We remain on track to expand Heathrow in a way that is affordable, financeable and which meets all our environmental obligations, securing Britain's place as one of the world's great trading nations in the early years of Brexit."