London Heathrow Airport (LHR) recorded a 5% year-on-year growth in cargo volumes in September, its latest traffic figures. The growth comes as the UK continues to debate whether to approve the airport’s long-standing plans for a third runway.
The proposed expansion could significantly increase Heathrow’s potential for freight handling with current estimates suggesting that export capacity could be increased by as much as 50%. Such an increase would provide British exporters with more opportunities to access world markets.
But Heathrow Chief Executive Officer Thomas Woldbye insists the debate on the need for more hub airport capacity in the UK is no longer about whether expansion is needed. In his view, businesses, trade unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians are increasingly coming to understand the importance of stronger global connections to the country’s ability to compete internationally, expand trade and support economic growth.
Woldbye also argues that the project could deliver substantial economic benefits. According to the Heathrow chief, expansion could support more than 100,000 jobs, attract £33 billion in private investment and reinforce British supply chains. It would also provide companies across the country with greater export opportunities while enabling new airlines and destinations to enter the market and giving passengers a wider choice of services.
The September cargo performance was not uniform across all international markets. Heathrow reported increases in freight volumes involving the European Union, North America and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. By contrast, the largest decline was recorded on routes to and from the Middle East.
Although these are regional differences, the airport’s management continues to frame expansion as a strategic investment in the UK’s long-term competitiveness. Woldbye says other international hubs are growing all the time and attracting new routes, and Britain has an opportunity to increase its global connectivity and bring economic benefits to its nations and regions.
He also believes the project is at a stage where it can go forward. Private investment is in place, there is a good understanding of the expected economic benefits, and the UK government has confirmed expansion can be delivered in line with the country’s net-zero objectives. Woldbye says Parliament now has the chance to push forward a project that could benefit generations to come after decades of discussion. Heathrow, he says, is ready to roll.
Heidi Alexander, the UK’s Secretary of State for Transport, has lent her voice to the government’s backing for the proposition. Recently she backed Heathrow’s case to push ahead with the project, arguing the airport’s expansion plans are compatible with the country’s pledge to hit net-zero by 2050.
Heathrow said cargo volumes were up in September and with the debate over a third runway continuing the airport is promoting new capacity as a way of improving freight connectivity, growing export opportunities and boosting the UK’s position in global trade. But the proposed expansion is still subject to the ongoing decision-making process on the project.
