Heathrow Airport is using its latest monthly traffic figures to renew pressure on Parliament to approve a third runway, as nearly 7.2 million passengers travelled through the UK's only hub airport in September and more than 40 airlines sought access to slots it cannot supply.
The airport said demand continues to outstrip capacity, with airlines unable to launch or expand services forced to base routes at competing European hubs instead, taking trade and connectivity away from the UK.
Cargo volumes rose 5% year on year in September, underpinning Heathrow's argument that expansion would increase export capacity by 50% at the country's largest port by value.
The traffic update coincides with Parliament's scrutiny of the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement (HENPS), the planning policy framework published by the government in June.
This must be approved by MPs before any third runway application can proceed. A parliamentary vote is expected before the end of November.
Heathrow says the project would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, attract £33 billion of private investment and create 5,000 apprenticeships, with around 400,000 tonnes of steel required for construction alone.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed that expansion is compatible with the UK's net zero commitments, removing one of the main objections to the scheme.
Chief executive Thomas Woldbye, who faces the Transport Select Committee this week, said the case for expansion has been settled and that Parliament now has the opportunity to approve a project with generational benefits for every region of the UK.
