Heathrow Airport is continuing to grow strongly in 2017 with cargo volumes rising 4.4 per cent to 124,101 tonnes.

Between February 2016 and January 2017, cargo volumes were up 3.1 per cent to 1.54 million tonnes, while a record 5.74 million passengers passed through the airport in January, year-on-year growth of 4.2 per cent.

Heathrow Airport chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye says: “With record passenger numbers and cargo growth in January, Heathrow continues to serve the UK.  We are getting on with our expansion programme, so that we can create the new routes that will deliver the Prime Minister’s vision of a global Britain, as quickly as possible.”

Heathrow has also passed the first milestone to get a third runway with the publication of the government’s draft National Policy Statement.

Holland-Kaye says: “The launch of the Government’s National Policy Statement consultation is a key milestone and we look forward to working with our local communities, airlines and the Government to ensure Heathrow expansion is affordable, sustainable and benefits all of Britain.”