Heathrow Airport welcomes record 17.7m passengers during first quarter

17.7 million passengers passed through Heathrow Airport in the first quarter of 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Sophie Williams1 May 2018

A record number of 17.7 million passengers passed through Heathrow Airport in the first quarter of this year.

The figure spanning January to March is up three percent on last year, airport statistics showed.

According to the west London airport's data, flights to South America saw the largest increase in passengers with numbers rising 6.9 percent.

Europe remained the most popular destination with more than 7.2 million passengers travelling to the continent.

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said: “We’re delighted that passengers are choosing Heathrow in record numbers – it’s is a strong signal that we’re delivering value for money.

"We’re within touching distance of Parliament voting on expanding Heathrow and now more than ever we’re committed to developing and delivering a hub airport that Britain can be proud of for generations to come.”

Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe
REUTERS

If plans for a third runway at the travel hub are given the go-ahead it would be fully open by 2025.

Outline planning consent will be given by Parliament if it approves the Government's National Policy Statement setting out objectives and requirements for the scheme.

Campaigners against the ​expansion claim that more than two million people could be affected by the noise from a third runway.

Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe with passenger numbers in 2017 reaching 78 million.

On Good Friday this year, Heathrow saw its busiest ever day with more than 136,000 passengers travelling through.

It comes after Heathrow was named among the world's top 10 airports coming in eighth place.

Heathrow also clinched the top spot for 'Best Airport Shopping' with the Queen's Terminal (Terminal 2) winning the award for 'Best Airport Terminal' last month.

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