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Record passenger numbers reported in 2 largest British airports in 2014

Xinhua, January 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

The two largest airports in London, Heathrow and Gatwick on Monday released their final results of last year, showing their passenger numbers in 2014 created high record.

Heathrow Airport, not only the largest in the capital, but also the largest one in the country, said a record 73.4 million passengers made journeys through Heathrow in 2014, with an increase of 1.4 percent on 2013.

It said fast-growing emerging markets, such as Latin America, East Asia and the Middle East and Central Asia, continued to promote its traffic growth in 2014.

The passenger volumes from emerging markets, including China and Mexico increased 15.1 percent and 10.9 percent last year, it added.

Last December, Heathrow Airport meet the busiest month with 5.93 million passengers traveling through the airport, increased 2.4 percent on December 2013.

While for the other largest Gatwick Airport, more than 38 million passengers flew through the airport in 2014, increased 7.6 percent comparing with 2013.

The airport said the record growth was achieved by its broad range of travel and airline models, including low cost carriers and European business travel, long-haul traffic and emerging markets.

It said about one in five passengers now travel through Gatwick on business and the airport serves 46 of the 50 top business destinations in Europe. Copenhagen, Paris and Brussels were among the fastest growing destinations in Europe as the launch of new services last year.

The two important airports are competitors in seizing a capacity expansion project from British government's Airports Commission. There are three plans, which include building up a third runway at Heathrow, lengthening an existing runway at Heathrow or constructing a second runway at Gatwick. Airports Commission will make the final decision later this year.

"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," said John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow.

"Gatwick's record-breaking figures show an airport serving the widest range of travel and airline models - exactly what is needed from the decision about the UK's next runway. Airport expansion should be for the many not the few, and our broad range of growth underlines that Gatwick is the obvious solution if we want all passengers and all types of travel to benefit," said Nick Dunn, CFO of Gatwick. Endit