Business and traffic commentary January 2018

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07.00 12th February 2018

Flying start to 2018 as Heathrow reports busiest January ever

§ Heathrow had a flying start to the year, as the UK's only hub airport welcomed 5.8 million passengers in January

§ Passenger volumes were up 1.1% on 2017 and January marked the 15th consecutive record month for Heathrow

§ Domestic flights were a key driver of growth, with UK flights up 6.9% in the first month of 2018, following the increased uptake of Flybe's offering. South Asia and Latin America also saw remarkable growth, up 11.3% and 6.9% respectively

§ Freight travelling through Heathrow reached record levels for the start of the year, as over 133,000 tonnes made its way through the airport in January, with export volumes growing by 10.6%

§ The top destinations for cargo growth were the US (1,214t), Spain (1,070t) and China (966t)

· Heathrow launched one of the largest public planning consultations in the country's history - the next milestone in the airport's plans for expansion. The 10-week consultation offers the public the opportunity to shape the airport's plans, enabling Heathrow to deliver the benefits of expansion while the keeping commitments made to local communities 

· As the Prime Minister set off for a trade mission to China in January, research carried out by New Frontier Economics revealed that direct flights from Heathrow to China contribute £510 million per year in GDP to the UK economy and create 14,550 jobs. An additional flight a week on each existing connection, facilitated through Heathrow's expansion, could generate an additional £16m to GDP

§ Flybe took the top spot in the latest 'Fly Quiet and Green league table' which ranks airlines at Heathrow based on their noise and emissions performance. The regional airline worked with Heathrow to increase its use of Continuous Decent Approaches into the airport, reducing aircraft noise for local communities

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

"Heathrow is off to a flying start, with record passenger numbers and cargo volumes and the start of our public consultation on the third runway. Heathrow expansion will provide the global trading routes to super-charge Britain's economy as we leave the EU."