Traffic and business commentary April 2016

11th May 2016

Traffic and business commentary April 2016

§ Heathrow welcomed over 6 million passengers in April 2016. April's passenger numbers were down 1.6% on 2015 due to an earlier Easter holiday this year, but passenger growth at Heathrow remains strong with volumes are up 1.5% so far in 2016. Larger, quieter aircraft continued to be a driver for growth in passenger volumes this year

§ Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were particularly strong to China which was up 13%, Mexico up 11% and the Middle East which was up 7% with carriers benefitting from new aircraft including A380s and Oman Air's second daily service to Muscat. North American segments also continued to see growth with volumes increasing 2%

§ East Asia continues to perform strongly, with both passenger up 7% and cargo volumes up 10% in part following the launch of Vietnam Airlines' services and increase in frequency to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City after switching from Gatwick last year and British Airways' new flights to Kuala Lumpur

§ Heathrow today announced that it will meet and, in most cases, exceed the conditions set out in the Airports Commission's recommendation for Heathrow expansion