Slight volumes fall in 2015 at Heathrow

January 11, 2016

Heathrow Airport saw its cargo volumes fall 0.2 per cent in 2015, but tonnage rose in the last month of the year.

The gateway handled 1.49 million tonnes of freight last year, a very slight decline on figures in 2014.

Heathrow, the UK’s largest port by value, says it continued to play a leading role in helping Britain’s exports reach global markets.

In December, cargo volumes were up 0.8 per cent, with increases driven by growth from emerging markets – notably, Nigeria up 50 per cent, China up 20 per cent and Turkey up 20 per cent.

Heathrow chief executive officer, John Holland-Kaye says 2015 has been a banner year for Heathrow and he adds: “Our new expansion plan will make Heathrow the most sustainable hub airport, and Britain the best connected country in the world. We are ready to serve.”

Heathrow announced plans in November to invest £180 million ($277.6 million) to double its airfreight volumes, by improving infrastructure and a range of cargo processes to speed up and make cargo in and out of the airport more efficient.

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.