Heathrow today claimed that expansion of the west London hub was the “best value for money”.
New independent analysis of Airports Commission research and HM Treasury data revealed that an expanded Heathrow would be the UK’s best value-for-money infrastructure project, significantly higher than Crossrail, HS2 and Thameslink.
The assertion came as the airport reported a record May with 6.34 million passengers, a rise of 1.7% year-on-year.
Larger, quieter aircraft continued to be a driver for passenger growth. Seats per aircraft increased 2.5% to 207.7 while passengers per aircraft rose 1.4% to 154.2.
Within emerging markets, passenger numbers to China rose by 19.2%, Mexico by 15.9% and Brazil by 11.2%.
Middle East traffic was also up 2.3% as carriers added new Airbus A380 superjumbos to these routes.
Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Heathrow’s new expansion plan is the best value for money investment government can make to get the economy moving – in fact, it is almost entirely privately funded.
“The growth in passengers and exports to emerging markets shows how only Heathrow expansion will keep Britain at the heart of the global economy.
“The Airports Commission has confirmed it can be delivered responsibly – within carbon and air quality limits and with fewer people impacted by noise than today. Let’s get on with it.”