Heathrow airport has announced a 1.3% increase of passengers in January 2015 as compared to the same period last year. This report presents mixed fortunes for the airport whose main lobbying point was that it was 98% full and growth was not possible under current conditions. Plane movements fell by 0.8% as compared to January 2014. 2014 saw fewer flights than 2013. August was the busiest month at 7.05 million passengers. The effect of the new terminal 2 which was opened in June 2014 was negligible if any at all.
The claim that UK was held back by lack of flights to BRIC countries was also dispelled. An increase of 14% of passengers flying to Latin America was recorded with Brazil having 4.7% and 17.9% for Mexico. China passenger traffic on the other hand grew by 2%. More than 60% of flights were short haul within Europe. A quarter of passengers took flights to North America which represented a growth of 3%.
Heathrow said larger, quieter and fuller aircraft continued to drive growth at the airport. There was a notable increase of 2% in seats per aircraft in January and an increase of 2.2% of passenger per aircraft. Despite this significant increase the load factor remains worryingly low at approximately 70.7%.
Heathrow is expected to work the numbers to their favor. It says despite the impressive showing in performance, more airlines would have added routes and frequency had there been slots available. These reports seem to invalidate their clamor for expansion.
These results were real released when airport expansion in general received support from the south wales chamber of commerce. While it was expected that the lobby group would be lobbying for Cardiff airport, the group said development of hub airports all over the world was the surest way of increasing trade and attracting businesses.