London Heathrow: CAA Provisional Statistics Update

[News Guru]

Heathrow has busiest ever month / day

Heathrow Airport had its busiest ever month last month, with 6.7 million passengers - 3.5% up on the July 2009 total, airport operator BAA said. The month included Heathrow's busiest-ever day - Sunday July 18 - when 232,000 passengers passed through the airport.

Driving the growth at Heathrow last month was the European market which increased 9.5%. the number of air transport movements was up 2.9%, while cargo activity remained very strong with a a 19.1% increase at Heathrow.

Source

 

[Aviador]

The BBC reports that Heathrow has seen record passenger numbers during September quoting that
"Heathrow had its busiest September to date as business travellers returned to flying Heathrow, the world's busiest international airport, saw record passenger numbers in September, raising hopes of an air industry recovery." BAA said more than 6.2 million passengers travelled through Heathrow last month which represents a 7.6% increase over the same month last year. The rise in passengers has apparently been triggered by airlines re-starting routes that were cut during the recession.

 

[Aviador]

CAA Passenger Stats for July 2011

A total of 6,872,702 passengers passed through London Heathrow airport during July, 2.5% up on July last year.

Rolling year passenger totals stand at 68,652,757 5.6 up year on year.

 

[News Guru]

Another record month for Heathrow as BAA reports 1% passenger rise

BAA airports handled more than 10 million passengers in September, up 1% on last year. Heathrow saw passenger numbers grow by 1.4% to 6.3 million, a record for September, with aircraft movements and the number of seats filled per aircraft also at record levels.

North Atlantic routes continued to be the fastest-growing market from Heathrow, with a 3.5% rise in passengers on a 5.4% increase in flights. However, a 10.5% drop in domestic services contributed to a 14.5% decline in passenger numbers on UK domestic routes. Both European scheduled and other long-haul markets recorded passenger increases of 2.5%.

The UK airports operator used the announcement to warn that capacity constraints are threatening connections to emerging markets around the world. BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said: ‘Existing routes are performing well, but capacity constraints mean the UK is lagging behind in its connections to emerging market destinations - Paris and Frankfurt already boast 1000 more flights a year to China's three largest cities.’

Source

 

[Aviador]

CAA Passenger Stats for March 2012

A total of 5,697,307 passed through Heathrow airport during March, up 6.9% on the same month last year.

Rolling year passengers figures stand at 70,049,445 passengers, up 6% year on year.

I believe this is a new record for Heathrow as the most ever passengers to use the airport!

 

[Aviador]

CAA Passenger Stats for May 2012

A total of 5,831,951 passed through Heathrow airport during May, down 0.6% on the same month last year.

Rolling year passengers figures stand at 70,015,825 passengers, up 2.8% year on year.

A disappointing month but more or less in line with the national trend.

According to one news source "UK airport Heathrow concedes defeat to ever-growing Dubai" for the number 1 spot as the largest international airport in the world. I think this was inevitable with the rate of growth at Dubai.

 

[Aviador]

Flying start to 2018 as Heathrow reports busiest January ever

• Heathrow had a flying start to the year, as the UK’s only hub airport welcomed 5.8 million passengers in January
• Passenger volumes were up 1.1% on 2017 and January marked the 15th consecutive record month for Heathrow
• Domestic flights were a key driver of growth, with UK flights up 6.9% in the first month of 2018, following the increased uptake of Flybe’s offering. South Asia and Latin America also saw remarkable growth, up 11.3% and 6.9% respectively
• Freight travelling through Heathrow reached record levels for the start of the year, as over 133,000 tonnes made its way through the airport in January, with export volumes growing by 10.6%
• The top destinations for cargo growth were the US (1,214t), Spain (1,070t) and China (966t)

• Heathrow launched one of the largest public planning consultations in the country’s history – the next milestone in the airport’s plans for expansion. The 10-week consultation offers the public the opportunity to shape the airport’s plans, enabling Heathrow to deliver the benefits of expansion while the keeping commitments made to local communities
• As the Prime Minister set off for a trade mission to China in January, research carried out by New Frontier Economics revealed that direct flights from Heathrow to China contribute £510 million per year in GDP to the UK economy and create 14,550 jobs. An additional flight a week on each existing connection, facilitated through Heathrow’s expansion, could generate an additional £16m to GDP

• Flybe took the top spot in the latest ‘Fly Quiet and Green league table’ which ranks airlines at Heathrow based on their noise and emissions performance. The regional airline worked with Heathrow to increase its use of Continuous Decent Approaches into the airport, reducing aircraft noise for local communities

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

“Heathrow is off to a flying start, with record passenger numbers and cargo volumes and the start of our public consultation on the third runway. Heathrow expansion will provide the global trading routes to super-charge Britain’s economy as we leave the EU.”

Heathrow Airport

 

[Aviador]

Landmark Year for Heathrow - Results for the year ended 31 Dec 2017

• Heathrow grew at its fastest rate in five years in 2017, helping Britain’s economy to thrive by welcoming a record 78 million passengers (+3.1%) while retaining its position as Europe’s top-rated major airport for the third year running
• Heathrow continues to deliver for the UK with a 10.2% increase in cargo volumes promoting more British trade growth, support for British jobs with close to £700 million invested in the airport over the year and new services to Portland and Santiago
• Strong financial performance underpins Heathrow’s expansion plans, with revenues of
  £2,884 million up 2.7% and Adjusted EBITDA of £1,760 million up 4.6% reflecting lower operating costs and strong retail growth while passenger charges decreased by 2.0%
• Over £1.0 billion in debt financing completed, enhancing resilience and simplifying Heathrow’s debt financing arrangements
• Significant progress on expanding Heathrow, with the airport’s first planning consultation underway, a shortlist of logistics hubs around Britain to help build it, the government committing to a vote in Parliament this summer and the CAA progressing the expansion regulatory framework

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said:

“Heathrow had a fantastic 2017 – welcoming a record 78 million passengers, giving our best service ever and offering better value for our passengers with lower airport charges.

"But while we are squeezing out small bits of growth, our rivals in France and Germany are overtaking us – for Britain to thrive post-Brexit, the Government needs to crack on with Heathrow expansion as quickly as possible with a vote in Parliament before the summer.”

Heathrow Airport

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I wonder if LHR can reach 80 mppa with the current infrastructure and facilities.

 

[aviatorconcorde]

I wonder if LHR can reach 80 mppa with the current infrastructure and facilities.

I would of thought it would be possible eventually. I'd be surprised if they didn't hit 80 million by the time the 3rd runway is built. Unless we have a huge worldwide crash there's only one way passengers numbers will go in my opinion.

 

[nbdm]

I would of thought it would be possible eventually. I'd be surprised if they didn't hit 80 million by the time the 3rd runway is built. Unless we have a huge worldwide crash there's only one way passengers numbers will go in my opinion.

According to this article from when Terminal 5 was approved it says:

Key conditions to the approval included limiting flights to 480,000 a year, or about 90 million passengers.

Guessing that's a planning limit similar to Stansted, the article also says Heathrow was at 65 million and T5 would increase that by between 20 and 30 million.
With T2 also being redeveloped recently I'd have thought 90 million would be achievable despite the lack of slots.
More A380s to come?

Can't believe this saga has been going on for so long. 😢

 

[Coathanger16]

To get to 80mppa would only require 2.5% growth - in 2017 they achieved 3.1%, so its pretty likely. To hit 90mppa by the time a new runway is planned to open (2025/26) LHR would require 1.8% growth per year so again its not impossible.

With T2 also being redeveloped

The T2 work is split into two phases (each effectively replacing the old T2 and T1). The first part has been completed but I believe LHR are waiting to start on the second phase until they have been given permission to build the third runway. They're already been criticized on costs for runway 3, so redeveloping the next part of T2 would add even more to that.

More A380s to come?

I think most airlines that operate A380's already use them at Heathrow (besides the other European airlines with A380s - Air France, Lufthansa):

Emirates - 6 Daily A380
Singapore - 3 out of 4 daily flights are A380 (other is B777)
Qantas - currently all flights are A380, but when MEL switches from DXB to PER it'll become A380 (not sure A380 can fly non stop Perth to Heathrow)
Etihad - 3 daily A380
Korean Air - Daily A380 during summer (B777 in winter)
Qatar - 2 out of 6 daily flights are A380 (others are 2x A350, 1x B777, 1x B787)
Asiana - A350
Malaysian - Soon to be 2 daily A350
Thai - single daily A380 (other is B777)
China Southern - double daily B787

There is some growth that could be made there with using more A380's, but I'm not sure how much it will actually add.

Emirates - can't really go any further
Singapore - could upgrade final flight to A380 (likely within the next 5-10 years)
Qantas - Operational restrictions prevent A380 being used. More capacity will likely come in the form of a non-stop Sydney to London flight when aircraft become available.
Etihad - without increasing frequency no scope for growth
Korean Air - Could use A380 in winter as well
Qatar - I'm not sure if Qatar have enough A380's to upgrade more of LHR's flights and I don't think they've said they're interested in getting any more.
Asiana - could upgrade to A380 (that would make it 2x A380 and 1x B787 on the Seoul route - can the route sustain that?)
Malaysian - A380's being withdrawn from passenger operations and being used for pilgrimage flights
Thai - could upgrade second flight to A380
China Southern - I believe the A380's are based at Beijing so unlikely to see an increase there

British Airways have said they're open to getting more A380's (likely second hand) so there could be some more increases there.

The bulk of growth is likely to come from either smaller aircraft being replaced by larger aircraft, but more like B757 to B767 to B777, or refitting aircraft with more seats. Singapore are in the process of refitting their A380's increasing the total number of seats by 30 or ~7%.

Bit of a ramble - don't know if all that is of interest to anyone but hey...

 

[nbdm]

To get to 80mppa would only require 2.5% growth - in 2017 they achieved 3.1%, so its pretty likely. To hit 90mppa by the time a new runway is planned to open (2025/26) LHR would require 1.8% growth per year so again its not impossible.



The T2 work is split into two phases (each effectively replacing the old T2 and T1). The first part has been completed but I believe LHR are waiting to start on the second phase until they have been given permission to build the third runway. They're already been criticized on costs for runway 3, so redeveloping the next part of T2 would add even more to that.



I think most airlines that operate A380's already use them at Heathrow (besides the other European airlines with A380s - Air France, Lufthansa):

Emirates - 6 Daily A380
Singapore - 3 out of 4 daily flights are A380 (other is B777)
Qantas - currently all flights are A380, but when MEL switches from DXB to PER it'll become A380 (not sure A380 can fly non stop Perth to Heathrow)
Etihad - 3 daily A380
Korean Air - Daily A380 during summer (B777 in winter)
Qatar - 2 out of 6 daily flights are A380 (others are 2x A350, 1x B777, 1x B787)
Asiana - A350
Malaysian - Soon to be 2 daily A350
Thai - single daily A380 (other is B777)
China Southern - double daily B787

There is some growth that could be made there with using more A380's, but I'm not sure how much it will actually add.

Emirates - can't really go any further
Singapore - could upgrade final flight to A380 (likely within the next 5-10 years)
Qantas - Operational restrictions prevent A380 being used. More capacity will likely come in the form of a non-stop Sydney to London flight when aircraft become available.
Etihad - without increasing frequency no scope for growth
Korean Air - Could use A380 in winter as well
Qatar - I'm not sure if Qatar have enough A380's to upgrade more of LHR's flights and I don't think they've said they're interested in getting any more.
Asiana - could upgrade to A380 (that would make it 2x A380 and 1x B787 on the Seoul route - can the route sustain that?)
Malaysian - A380's being withdrawn from passenger operations and being used for pilgrimage flights
Thai - could upgrade second flight to A380
China Southern - I believe the A380's are based at Beijing so unlikely to see an increase there

British Airways have said they're open to getting more A380's (likely second hand) so there could be some more increases there.

The bulk of growth is likely to come from either smaller aircraft being replaced by larger aircraft, but more like B757 to B767 to B777, or refitting aircraft with more seats. Singapore are in the process of refitting their A380's increasing the total number of seats by 30 or ~7%.

Bit of a ramble - don't know if all that is of interest to anyone but hey...

I don't use LHR much, but I had a feeling the usage of A380s was high.
I heard elsewhere there aren't many free A380 gates at LHR.
As you say, if not A380, then at the very least bigger aircraft.
However the large number of Dreamliners and A350s coming from all over is surely a decrease in capacity from their bigger brothers like a 747 and 777?
I think it is likely BA will get some more A380s second hand or otherwise.

Singapore: B777 -> A380 likely to happen soon
Emirates: Another daily A380 flight (tricky, but not impossible if the right price is given to another airline for a slot pair? - although their start at STN hints the opposite)
BA/Qantas: Partnership on LHR -> SYD route (already OW members) meaning BA could profitably upgrade their SYD route to A380. Unlikely due to Emirates partnership.
BA/Qatar: If Qatar don't have enough A380s, BA upgrade their B777 flight to A380? Qatar have filled in for BA occasionally so not impossible to share pax.
Virgin: The infamous A380 order being delivered? Unlikely.

Westbound not much chance of A380s except from BA and Virgin or a fifth freedom route as none of the American carriers have any.

 

[David_itl]

s the Prime Minister set off for a trade mission to China in January, research carried out by New Frontier Economics revealed that direct flights from Heathrow to China contribute £510 million per year in GDP to the UK economy and create 14,550 jobs. An additional flight a week on each existing connection, facilitated through Heathrow’s expansion, could generate an additional £16m to GDP

so the numerous Chinese flights only contributed £510m to GDP in the UK. Yet MAN's flights are worth £265m. I would say that we need to forget about China-LHR and focus on China-regional UK as it appears to be much better for the UK economy as i anticipate any EDI and BHX link to boost their original economies so collectively a maximum of 3 non-London daily services would be bigger than 7 or 8 LHR daily services. So bragging about their China dividend isnt somethng i would do.

 

[Jerry]

so the numerous Chinese flights only contributed £510m to GDP in the UK. Yet MAN's flights are worth £265m. I would say that we need to forget about China-LHR and focus on China-regional UK as it appears to be much better for the UK economy as i anticipate any EDI and BHX link to boost their original economies so collectively a maximum of 3 non-London daily services would be bigger than 7 or 8 LHR daily services. So bragging about their China dividend isnt somethng i would do.

That's assuming that the Chinese airlines want to expand into regional UK. Plus their yields flying into Heathrow could well be a lot better than flying regional UK. They are businesses after all.

 

[Coathanger16]

so the numerous Chinese flights only contributed £510m to GDP in the UK. Yet MAN's flights are worth £265m. I would say that we need to forget about China-LHR and focus on China-regional UK as it appears to be much better for the UK economy as i anticipate any EDI and BHX link to boost their original economies so collectively a maximum of 3 non-London daily services would be bigger than 7 or 8 LHR daily services. So bragging about their China dividend isnt somethng i would do.

Somethings not quite right there.

In 2017 LHR handled 2.7m passengers to China whilst MAN handled just over 220,000. So LHR handles over 12 times as many passengers to China as MAN yet only brings in just twice as much economic benefit? Those numbers correspond to over £1000 per passenger flying to/from MAN, but less than £200 per passenger flying to/from LHR.

Does Manchester really have that much closer relationship with China than London, and if so why has it taken so long for MAN to get flights to China?

I would say that we shouldn't forget about nor focus on any specific airport to China or any other country for that matter.

 

[Aviador]

Heathrow has busiest ever departures day with more passengers travelling to emerging markets

• Heathrow welcomes its 17th consecutive record month, with 6.5 million passengers in March (up 5.5% yoy)
• Easter getaway, coupled with half term, led to the airport having its busiest departures day ever, with over 136,000 departing passengers travelling on the 30th
• Long-haul, emerging destinations were some of the best performers, as the airport reported double-digit growth in African (12%) and Middle Eastern markets (11%). Latin America also experienced significant growth, up 7.3%
• Cargo volumes increased by 1.5%, with the airport reporting the 20th consecutive record month. During the course of the month, over 150,000 tonnes of cargo travelled through the UK’s biggest port
• The USA (1,659t) and Japan (682t) were among the fastest growing markets for cargo
• March was also an award-winning month, as Heathrow’s Terminal 2 beat international counterparts to win ‘World’s Best Airport Terminal’ for the first time in the 2018 Skytrax World Airport Awards
• New routes launched by Hainan Airlines and Tianjin Airlines provided the UK’s first direct connections to the growing cities of Changsha and X’ian. Qantas also began its first direct service to Perth from Heathrow – offering the fastest route to Australia for both UK cargo and passengers
• The Transport Select Committee announced the backing of the northwest runway at Heathrow, believing this remains the right answer for the UK and laying the groundwork for the parliamentary vote in the summer
• Heathrow expansion reached another significant milestone with the close of one of the UK’s largest ever public consultations

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

“The booming growth in passenger numbers and cargo, particularly from emerging markets, underpins the urgency to secure Britain’s economic future with a third runway at Heathrow – which has now been backed by the cross-party Transport Select Committee. We are delighted that passengers have rated us one of the top ten airports worldwide, recognising the huge improvements in service we have made over the last few years”

 

[Jerry]

Heathrow CAA stats July 2018
7,812,294 passengers used the airport in July up 3.7% and the rolling year was 79,212,271 up 2.7%.
Top 10 routes for July
1.New York JFK 290,950
2.Dubai DXB 239,472
3.Dublin 171,465
4.Los Angeles 171,114
5.Frankfurt 163,035
6.Amsterdam 153,903
7. Hong Kong 150,643
8.Singapore 145,692
9.Madrid 132,635
10.Doha 123,269

 

[IanFarquharson]

February 2020

View attachment 16397

 

[IanFarquharson]

2016

% +/-

2017

% +/-

2018

% +/-

2019

% +/-

2020

% +/-

January

5,508,955​

0.98%​

5,742,157​

4.23%​

5,807,771​

1.14%​

5,928,655​

2.08%​

6,099,240​

2.88%​

February

5,181,756​

4.57%​

5,268,516​

1.67%​

5,393,756​

2.38%​

5,482,288​

1.64%​

5,441,756​

-0.74%​

March

6,102,492​

2.54%​

6,157,292​

0.90%​

6,494,273​

5.47%​

6,527,571​

0.51%​

3,107,151​

-52.40%​

April

6,049,356​

-1.56%​

6,732,994​

11.30%​

6,583,739​

-2.22%​

6,798,206​

3.26%​

206,600​

-96.96%​

May

6,296,571​

-0.73%​

6,477,900​

2.88%​

6,679,718​

3.12%​

6,769,369​

1.34%​

228,158​

-96.63%​

June

6,611,080​

-1.00%​

6,760,362​

2.26%​

7,126,752​

5.42%​

7,246,532​

1.68%​

350,425​

-95.16%​

July

7,445,994​

2.08%​

7,534,992​

1.20%​

7,814,816​

3.71%​

7,754,564​

-0.77%​

866,655​

-88.82%​

August

7,343,916​

0.12%​

7,482,399​

1.89%​

7,674,028​

2.56%​

7,680,708​

0.09%​

1,418,659​

-81.53%​

September

6,797,770​

0.43%​

6,930,203​

1.95%​

6,983,206​

0.76%​

6,777,720​

-2.94%​

1,256,617​

-81.46%​

October

6,485,102​

-1.23%​

6,665,498​

2.78%​

6,955,788​

4.36%​

6,994,478​

0.56%​

1,245,550​

-82.19%​

November

5,722,485​

2.46%​

5,922,486​

3.50%​

6,114,526​

3.24%​

6,233,861​

1.95%​

746,954​

-88.02%​

December

6,165,653​

4.44%​

6,338,026​

2.80%​

6,496,164​

2.50%​

6,696,079​

3.08%​

1,143,561​

-82.92%​

Total

75,711,130​

0.97%​

78,012,825​

3.04%​

80,124,537​

2.71%​

80,890,031​

0.96%​

22,111,326​

-72.66%​