Emerging markets fuel 4.4% growth in November at Heathrow

December 12, 2016

Heathrow Airport handled 138,050 tonnes in November – a 4.4 per cent year-on-year (YOY) rise on the same month last year.

In the first 11 months of 2016 it has handled 1,407,561 tonnes – a YOY increase of 2.8 per cent on the same period in 2015. On a rolling 12-month basis it has processed 1,534714 tonnes, a 2.6 per cent YOY uplift.

Cargo growth was particularly strong to fast-growing markets in the Middle East, East Asia and Latin America (China up YOY by 10.6 per cent, Turkey up 10.4 per cent, Mexico up 7.3 per cent and Brazil up 5.6 per cent), which the hub says underlines strengthening trade opportunities for Britain’s exporters.

Heathrow chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye says: “With record passenger volumes and strong cargo growth in November, Heathrow is delivering for Britain’s economy.

“Since the Government’s backing of a third runway, we’ve put a team in place that will help us to deliver the benefits of expansion as quickly as possible – an affordable plan that creates more jobs, boosts exporters and builds an economy that is stronger and fairer for everyone – and we are looking forward to the publication of the Government’s National Policy Statement early next year.”

Heathrow is Britain’s largest port, accounting for almost 30 per cent of all UK exports by value outside the European Union last year.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.