Heathrow Airport has posted a milestone year as 80.1 million passengers passed through it, the best year in its history after eight years of consecutive growth.
For the first time, Heathrow welcomed a record-breaking 80.1 million passengers (+2.7% vs 2017). Airport charges fell 1% to £21.78 and 81.9% of passengers said they had an “Excellent” or “Very Good” experience at Heathrow.
In the year, new routes have boosted trading opportunities – Heathrow doubled its Chinese connections in 2018, adding six new cities including Europe’s only flight to Shenzhen, the home of Asia’s Silicon Valley. These new services helped to push global trade flowing through Heathrow to 1.7 million tonnes
Domestic connections have also grown. Heathrow’s domestic connections are set to grow to 9 as new services to Newquay begin in April 2019. Following the re-launch of the Inverness services, the UK’s two furthest mainland airports will now be connected to the nation’s hub boosting trade and travel opportunities
Heathrow’s preferred masterplan for expansion continues to take shape. The airport will release the detailed plans in further consultation in June 2019, and says it remains on-track to submit a planning application in 2020 and for the first flights to use the new runway in 2026
John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said: “2018 was the best ever year at Heathrow. We were voted best airport in Western Europe by passengers, while continuing to drive down costs. We improved safety and closed our gender pay gap. We remain on track to open the new runway in 2026.”
