Record passenger numbers help Heathrow’s runway case

HEATHROW strengthened its case for expansion today by revealing that a record 6.34 million passengers passed through its terminals in May.

Britain’s largest airport said more passengers travelled to destinations like China, Mexico and Brazil last month and claimed that new analysis proves an expanded ed Heathrow would be the UK’s “best value-for-money infrastructure project”, ahead of Crossrail, HS2 and Thameslink.

“The growth in passengers and exports to emerging markets shows how only Heathrow expansion will keep ep Britain at the heartt of the global economy,” boss John Holland--Kaye (pictured) said. id.

Sir Howard Davies’s es’s Airports Commission is expected to publish its final report this summer and recommend one of three options: build a new runway at Heathrow, expand an existing one there, or build a second runway at Gatwick.

According to reports this week, the Government is not expected to make a final decision on airport expansion until Christmas. Both London Mayor Boris Johnson and his potential replacement, Zac Goldsmith, claim a third runway could breach air-pollution limits. In response, the airport said cleaner, quieter aircraft, greener airside vehicles and better public transport have helped cut emissions by 16% over the last five years. Holland-Kaye added: “The Airports Commission has confirmed [expansion] can be delivered responsibly.”