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Dreamliners and A380s fuel cargo and passenger growth at Heathrow

Cargo volumes at Heathrow Airport were up again last month as the rapid adoption of bigger and quieter aircraft also pushed up passenger volumes at the port.

With airlines adopting Boeing Dreamliners and Airbus A380s at record rates, the airport saw cargo increase by 2.1% in June and passenger volumes up 0.6% for the year, although passenger numbers actually dipped 1% year-on-year due to weather cancellations and French industrial action.

Growth in cargo was underlined by impressive 11% growth to China, with India (3.3%) and Turkey (3%) also up.

Meanwhile, passenger numbers to emerging markets, including Latin America (3%), China (7%), Mexico (7%) and East Asia (2%), which is benefitting from additional A380 services through Avianca, all posted strong growth.

In what is now a common refrain, Heathrow Chief Executive Officer John Holland-Kaye jumped on the numbers as yet more justification for the addition of a third runway to the airport.

He said: “With cargo volumes at Heathrow growing, our next Prime Minister has a real opportunity to secure Britain’s legacy as an outward-looking trading nation. Now more than ever, a decision on Heathrow expansion must be at the top of her in-tray.

“We’ll double cargo capacity at the UK’s largest port, helping even more British exporters trade with all the growing markets of the world. And at a time of uncertainty, a £16bn privately funded infrastructure investment will create jobs and growth across the UK.

“And with Parliament overwhelmingly endorsing a third runway, our next Prime Minister can send the strongest possible signal that Brexit Britain is open for business and confident in its future by expanding Heathrow.”