Heathrow And Gatwick Land Passenger Records

Heathrow and Gatwick airports have reported a record year for passenger numbers as the pair slug it out for controversial expansion plans to be given the green light.

The west London airport said 73.4 million passengers made journeys through Heathrow in 2014, an increase of 1.4% on the previous year.

It credited "fast-growing emerging markets" as the continuing driver of traffic growth, with passenger volumes up 6.3% to Latin America, 5.2% to East Asia and 3.5% to the Middle East & Central Asia.

It reported a rise of 2.5% in transfer passenger volumes over the 12-month period, while 5.93 million used Heathrow during December - which the airport said was its busiest ever.

Gatwick reported more than 38 million passengers using the airport in 2014 – an increase of 7.6%.

It said its growth was "driven across a range of markets, underlining Gatwick’s case for expansion as the airport that would benefit the widest range of passengers, travel and airline models."

Heathrow has previously described how it is bursting at the seams, with its ambitions thwarted by a lack of spare capacity.

It is in the race, alongside Gatwick, to be granted an extra runway but the Whitehall-appointed Airports Commission is not due to report on its preferred choice until after May's election.

The commission warned in November that the plans submitted by both airports would cost billions more than estimated and result in big increases in passenger charges.

A third option known as 'Heathrow Hub', also short-listed by the commission, is an extension of the existing northern runway.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye hailed a decision by Vietnam Airlines to move its operation from Gatwick to Heathrow as "good news for Britain".

He said: "It also underlines that airlines can only make flights to many long haul destinations viable from a hub airport like Heathrow.

"Only by expanding Heathrow can we add direct flights to the world's growing cities, increase our exports and connect all of the UK to global growth.

"Expanding Heathrow will help Britain win the race for growth."

Nick Dunn, Gatwick's chief financial officer, added: "Expand Heathrow and we take a backwards step towards higher fares, less choice and the monopolies of the past.

"Only Gatwick can offer the win-win solution of a bigger Gatwick, a better Heathrow and airports throughout the UK benefiting from greater competition."