Heathrow sees leap in numbers thanks to Brexit take-off

Heathrow has seen its fastest growth in passengers for a decade as foreign tourists rush to Brexit Britain to take advantage of the weakened pound.

The airport owner said 2017 was on course to set records on the back of a 5% increase in passenger numbers in the first three months of the year.

Cargo going through the airport, home of British Airways, has also surged as exporters clamour to capitalise on demand for British goods since the pound plunged on last June’s Brexit vote.

New routes to Scotland from Flybe and a new service to China were among the services which helped attract a record 17.9 million passengers to the airport between January and March.

Revenue climbed by 2% in the first quarter to £655 million, while pre-tax profit soared by 17% to £27 million.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive, said: “We have definitely seen a boost from exchange rates because Britain is a bargain for foreign visitors now.”

Heathrow is getting on with preparations to begin building its hard-fought-for £16 billion third runway, which was finally given the go-ahead by the Government in October.

It expects to have full permission to proceed by the end of 2020, with the expanded airport open for business by 2025.