Heathrow reports traffic gains again in February
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London Heathrow reported another record monthly performance in February, with 4.95 million passengers travelling through the airport, up 1.1% year-on-year.
Operating at capacity, passenger growth at Heathrow was primarily driven by larger, quieter aircraft deployed at the airport. Seats per aircraft increased 1.8% to 205.1 while load factors remained at 69.3% and passengers per aircraft rose 1.7% to 142.1.
Emerging markets continued to perform strongly, with passenger volumes increasing 23.5% to China, 14.9% to Mexico and 10.9% to Brazil in addition to robust performance on North American segments where volumes increased 4.3%. Transfer passenger traffic rose 5.0%.
With Heathrow recently being usurped by Dubai International as the world’s busiest airport in terms of international passenger numbers, the airport authority is pressing the case for an additional runway to claw back its dominance.
Heathrow recently launched the Best for Britain, Backed by Britain report, which details the predicted economic benefits derived from an additional runway.
The airport operator also recently sponsored a London Chamber of Commerce trade mission to Colombia, on the 12-month anniversary of direct flights between the UK and Bogota.
Commenting on the initiative, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:
“We were delighted to support British businesses by sponsoring the trade mission to Colombia, a year after Avianca announced its direct service from Heathrow to Bogota. Now British businesses are calling for direct flights to other important South American cities – Santiago, Lima, even Medellin. These routes can only be sustained through a hub airport, so the choice is to expand Heathrow or force British business people to transfer through Paris or Madrid, handing a competitive advantage to Britain’s European rivals. Heathrow expansion – staying connected – is now urgent. It’s time to get on with it.”
LONDON HEATHROW TRAFFIC SUMMARY – FEBRUARY
February 2015 | ||||||
Terminal Passengers (000s) |
Month | % Change | Jan to Feb 2015 |
% Change | Mar 2014 to Feb 2015 |
% Change |
Heathrow | 4,954 | 1.1 | 10,409 | 1.2 | 73,501 | 1.3 |
Air Transport Movements | Month | % Change | Jan to Feb 2015 |
% Change | Mar 2014 to Feb 2015 |
% Change |
Heathrow | 35,056 | -0.6 | 72,186 | -0.7 | 470,182 | 0.0 |
Cargo (Metric Tonnes) |
Month | % Change | Jan to Feb 2015 |
% Change | Mar 2014 to Feb 2015 |
% Change |
Heathrow | 118,248 | 7.7 | 234,095 | 5.5 | 1,511,279 | 5.9 |
Market comparison (000s) |
Month | % Change | Jan to Feb 2015 |
% Change | Mar 2014 to Feb 2015 |
% Change |
Market | ||||||
UK | 377 | 2.4 | 758 | 3.8 | 5,311 | 4.8 |
Europe | 2,057 | 0.4 | 4,103 | 0.4 | 30,002 | 0.2 |
Africa | 249 | -6.6 | 555 | -4.3 | 3,502 | -0.7 |
North America | 970 | 4.3 | 2,173 | 3.5 | 17,047 | 1.7 |
Latin America | 88 | 15.8 | 191 | 14.9 | 1,141 | 7.6 |
Middle East | 453 | 4.0 | 970 | 4.5 | 6,089 | 3.4 |
Asia / Pacific | 760 | -1.7 | 1,660 | -1.9 | 10,410 | 0.7 |
Total | 4,954 | 1.1 | 10,409 | 1.2 | 73,501 | 1.3 |
Note: Origin and destination is classified according to ultimate origin or destination of aircraft in the case of multi sector flights |
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