London Heathrow remains strong for long-haul flights

New figures from airport operator BAA have revealed that London Heathrow remains popular for long-haul flights.

New figures from airport operator BAA have revealed that London Heathrow remains popular for long-haul flights.

The airport recorded its strongest January results on record, with an increase in flights to India and China helping to boost traffic.

During the first month of the year, over five million passengers travelled via Heathrow – an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to January 2010.

Overall, BAA’s six airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen – handled a total of 7.5 million customers last month – 3.8 per cent more people than in the first month of last year.

BAA’s chief executive Colin Matthews explained that its operations had succeeded in offering good service to travellers.

“Passengers want quality service at our airports, from the beginning to the end of their journeys. The better we collaborate with airlines and ground handlers, the better the experience will be for customers both in normal operations and during disruption,’ he said.

A total of 88 airlines operate from Heathrow, offering travellers the opportunity to take flights to Dubai, Australia, Thailand, India and other popular destinations.

Written by Ruth Norris.