Heathrow on track to top 81m passengers after July boost
Heathrow has said it is on track to top 81m passengers this year after new figures revealed that nearly eight million passengers used the airport in July.
The hub airport has already flown 46m passengers so far this year, a near 1.5 per cent increase on the same time the previous year.
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Domestic passenger numbers were boosted by nearly four per cent thanks to new routes to Newquay, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Guernsey.
Meanwhile, over 130,000 metric tonnes of cargo including pharmaceuticals and technical equipments went through Heathrow last month.
Heathrow recently published its masterplan for the £14bn third runway alongside its largest-ever consultation into the project.
The airport will reveal how it plans to reduce emissions and noise – two areas that campaigners have circled out as areas of concern – as well as a proposed ban on night flights.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “The masterplan for the UK’s newest runway is set to be finalised within 18 months’ time and it was great to see businesses up and down UK recently write to the new Prime Minister highlighting their support for this vital project and the need to get on and deliver it.
“We are clear that expansion at Heathrow will not come at a cost to the environment, which is why we are working with the industry and government to develop environmental targets that will ensure growth is managed sustainably both now and with expansion.”
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The Court of Appeal is gearing up to hear a legal challenge from a number of local councils and campaigners later in October.
The High Court initially dismissed the legal challenge but last month they were given permission to challenge the ruling.