Record passengers for Heathrow

In November, 5.4m passengers passed through Heathrow, a record for the month and up 3.1% on November 2011.  Part of the percentage increase was due to the late school half term, as well as disruption at that time.  Heathrow’s load factor – how full the average flight was – also set a record for the month at 72.8%.

North Atlantic traffic was up 2.4% in November and European scheduled traffic was up 7.1% compared with last year.  Greek traffic continued to decline, with a reduction of 14.6% on the same period in 2011.  Of the expanding economies (BRIC), passenger numbers were up 6% to Brazil, 6.2% to Russia and 12.9% to China, but down 1.3% to India.

Heathrow Airport's Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said: “Passenger figures to the BRIC economies continue to be strong, illustrating the demand for routes to emerging markets.  But there’s more demand that the UK can’t meet – because its only hub airport, Heathrow, is full.  Last month we launched our first response to the Government’s Airports Commission, which is looking into this lack of capacity.  It concluded there are just three options for government – do nothing, expand Heathrow or close Heathrow and open a new hub airport elsewhere”. www.baa.com

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