Revenue was up 4.1 per cent and cargo volumes up 9.1 per cent to 820,000 tonnes in the first six months at Heathrow Airport.

For the results ending 30 June, the gateway says revenue was £1,374 million, up on the £1,320 million in 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA (net income with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation added back to it) is up 6.9 per cent to £835 million and pre-tax profit was up 36 per cent to £102 million, up from £75 million in 2016.

The airport says new Flybe services and new long-haul destinations like Portland and New Orleans have enhanced connectivity and opened new trading routes to British exporters.

And working with airlines, Heathrow says it is making good progress towards meeting the Government’s challenge to deliver expansion with airport charges close to current levels.

Heathrow Airport’s chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye says: “Heathrow’s strong start to 2017 is a boon for Britain – our passengers are getting better value and service, more British trade is flying high on new trading links and our expansion plans are on track.

“The Government set us the challenge to expand Britain’s hub while keeping airport charges close to current levels. Working with airlines, we are making good progress to meet this challenge whilst delivering all our local commitments and the global connections our country needs.”