UK. London Heathrow Airport has recorded its busiest-ever April – as well as its 30th month of consecutive growth.
The airport saw 3.3% year-on-year growth during the month, handling 6.79 million passengers. Heathrow said there had been a surge in travel over the Easter period.
North America was the most popular market in April. New flights to Nashville, Pittsburgh and Charleston helped push passenger numbers up by 7.5% month-on-month.
New routes to Durban, Marrakesh and the Seychelles led to a 12% increase in passengers travelling to Africa, Heathrow noted.
A newly-announced thrice-weekly route to Chengdu will boost links to China and Asian markets, the airport 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,” commented Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye.
“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.”
Heathrow also noted that the UK’s High Court delivered a ruling in April that all judicial review challenges to Heathrow expansion had been dismissed. The airport is preparing 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,” the airport stated.
