Heathrow Business and traffic commentary January 2018 (5078E)

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RNS Number : 5078E

Heathrow

12 February 2018

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07.00 12(th) 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 15(th) 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 GBP510 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 GBP16m 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."

 
 Traffic Summary 
 
 January 2018 
 
                                                                                               Feb 2017 
 Terminal Passengers                                               Jan to                            to 
  (000s)                              Month   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change 
 Heathrow                             5,805        1.1              5,805        1.1            78,054         2.8 
=========================  ================  =========  =================  =========  =================  ========= 
 
 
                                                                                               Feb 2017 
                                                                   Jan to                            to 
 Air Transport Movements              Month   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change 
 Heathrow                           38,061         2.5             38,061        2.5           474,969         0.3 
=========================  ================  =========  =================  =========  =================  ========= 
 
 
                                                                                               Feb 2017 
 Cargo                                                             Jan to                            to 
  (Metric Tonnes)                     Month   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change 
 Heathrow                          133,030         6.9            133,030        6.9        1,707,084         10.4 
=========================  ================  =========  =================  =========  =================  ========= 
 
 
 Market comparison                                                                             Feb 2017 
  (000s)                                                           Jan to                            to 
                                      Month   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change           Jan 2018   % Change 
 Market 
=========================  ================  =========  =================  =========  =================  ========= 
 UK                                     360        6.9                360        6.9              4,825        3.7 
 Europe                     2,218                  1.3              2,218        1.3            32,514         2.2 
 Africa                     286                    3.0                286        3.0              3,178        0.6 
 North America              1,218                 -0.8              1,218       -0.8            17,348         1.0 
 Latin America                          115        6.9                115        6.9              1,301        6.2 
 Middle East                            632       -1.8                632       -1.8              7,611        7.7 
 Asia / Pacific                         975        1.8                975        1.8            11,276         4.4 
 Total                                5,805        1.1              5,805        1.1            78,054         2.8 
-------------------------  ----------------  ---------  -----------------  ---------  -----------------  --------- 
 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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February 12, 2018 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)