Heathrow Airport presses expansion case as passengers pour in

The number of passengers passing through Heathrow’s terminals this year is set to climb 0.7% to 75.5 million, the London airport has said, strengthening its case for expansion.

In its investor report to bondholders, Heathrow said it expects underlying profit growth of 4.5% to £1.7 billion this financial year, and a 0.9% revenue rise to £2.8 billion.

The update comes in the wake of a solid first three months of the year, with sales up 3.2%.

Traffic has been helped by more North American services, larger aircraft to the Middle East and new airlines, such as Vietnam Airways, which serve countries in Asia.

The airport hopes to build a third runway after the Airports Commission, led by Sir Howard Davies, last year recommended the west London site for expansion.

It said today its proposal “would deliver a world-leading, ambitious and affordable plan which balances the huge national and local economic gain from expansion with the environmental impacts”.

Yesterday, Heathrow’s plans were branded a “rip off” by IAG boss Willie Walsh. He wants the airport to double its northern runway instead. A decision on expansion is expected later this summer.