Business and traffic commentary May 2017

07.00 9th June 2017

Heathrow records another month of growth

§ As the busy summer travel season got underway, Heathrow reached a new passenger record in May. Demand for travel continued to strengthen and a record 6.48 million people (+3%) travelled through Heathrow during the month - an average of 209,000 passengers every day - despite some services being disrupted at the end of the month

§ North American flights continued to remain popular with Heathrow passengers, with a new Delta service to Portland helping to drive North American growth up 1.3%. AeroMexico increased flights to a daily service helping to underpin 10% growth to Mexico, while an additional Emirates A380 and new British Airways services to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Tehran pushed up growth to the Middle East by 7%

§ Global trade through the nation's only hub airport continues to thrive, with cargo flying from Heathrow to destinations around the world growing over 16% in May. Overall cargo volumes were up nearly 11% with American Airlines recording the largest growth, transporting an additional 2,100 metric tonnes (+21.6%) followed by British Airways who added over 1,300 metric tonnes (+2.9%) of additional cargo

§ Heathrow promised to work with the Government and airlines to ensure communities across the UK can always retain access to global connectivity and trade by ring-fencing slots for domestic services once the nation's only hub is expanded. Ring-fencing slots is a move which becomes possible once the UK leaves the EU

§ Heathrow continues to progress its own planning consultation which will launch later this year and will give the public the opportunity to feedback on several design options for expanding the airport

§ As part of its Blueprint for Noise Reduction, Heathrow launched the second phase of its steeper approaches trial in May. The trial increases the angle of approach to the airport from 3° to 3.2° and results in aircraft flying higher for longer, reducing noise on the ground

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

"The summer travel season is off to a strong start - Heathrow welcomed more passengers in May than in any previous year and trade flying through the UK's biggest port grew 16% showing Britain is open for business."