London’s Heathrow Airport recorded its busiest ever April as the Easter getaway sent passenger numbers soaring, securing the airport its 30th month of consecutive growth.
Figures reveal the UK’s busiest airport welcomed 6.79 million passengers last month (+3.3 per cent on last April) averaging 226,600 daily passengers.
North America was the most popular market with new flights taking off to Nashville, Pittsburgh and Charleston helping to push up passenger numbers by 7.5 per cent month-on-month. New routes to Durban, Marrakesh and the Seychelles led to a notable 12 per cent increase in passengers traveling to Africa.
Helping to boost links to more Asian markets, Heathrow announced a new Air China, thrice weekly service to Chengdu. Air China is set to transport 80,000 passengers and 3,744 tonnes of cargo between China and the UK each year.
Improving regional connectivity, Heathrow welcomed Flybe’s route from Cornwall Airport Newquay, marking the start of a new year-round service operating four flights a day, seven days a week.
The High Court delivered a ruling that all judicial review challenges to Heathrow expansion have been dismissed, as the airport prepares for statutory consultation on its proposals in June. The consultation represents a significant delivery milestone and important opportunity for local communities to help shape plans for a future Heathrow.
Heathrow chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye said: “Increasing passenger demand and new long haul and domestic routes is a reminder of the critical role aviation plays in our economy, connecting all of Britain to global growth.
“However, to maintain the economic benefits of flying for future generations, aviation must play its part in keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees. Carbon is the problem, not flying, and Heathrow is taking a lead in moving the global aviation sector to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
