Plunging pound sends Heathrow exports skyward

Heathrow today said a record 6.8 million passengers used its arrival and departure halls in September as airlines flew larger, fuller planes from the at-capacity London airport.

More of the flights started or ended in emerging markets, with China ahead 7% and Mexico and India both up 5%.

Heathrow hailed the growth as “evidence that demand remains strong to fly from the UK’s front door” and it should be picked to build the new runway in the South-East.

The plunging pound helped demand for UK exports. Cargo volumes were up 6% in September, mostly to East Asia and Latin America, with Brazil growing by 18% and China by 13%.

Chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “The independent evidence is conclusive — Heathrow expansion will make Britain stronger and fairer for everyone.”

Despite Heathrow highlighting the boost from bigger aircraft, Airbus is slowing its assembly rate of the A380, the world’s largest passenger jet, to one plane a month from 2018, from a current rate of 2.5.

Airlines are placing more orders for smaller, two-engined jets, which are more fuel efficient and easier to fill.