{"id":80931,"date":"2019-02-27T09:25:31","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T08:25:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.ferrovial.com\/?post_type=new&p=80931"},"modified":"2024-11-20T22:10:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T21:10:23","slug":"heathrow-lands-record-performance-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"new","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ferrovial.com\/en\/news\/heathrow-lands-record-performance-in-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Heathrow lands record performance in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For the first time, Heathrow<\/a><\/strong> welcomed a record-breaking 80.1 million passengers (+2.7% vs 2017)<\/strong> whilst delivering excellent service at a low cost. Airport charges fell 1% to \u00a321.78 and 81.9% of passengers said they had an \u201cExcellent\u201d or \u201cVery Good\u201d experience at the hub<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The implementation of new routes has boosted Britain\u2019s trading opportunities. In fact, Heathrow doubled its Chinese connections in 2018<\/strong>, adding six new cities including Europe\u2019s only flight to Shenzhen, the home of Asia\u2019s Silicon Valley. These new services helped to push global trade flowing through Heathrow to 1.7 million tonnes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Similarly, domestic connections are set to grow to 9 as new services to Newquay<\/a> begin in April. Following the re-launch of the Inverness<\/a> services, the UK\u2019s two furthest mainland airports will now be connected to the nation\u2019s hub boosting trade and travel opportunities.<\/p>\n

In this sense, Heathrow remains a well-run business in strong financial health with revenues climbing 3% to nearly \u00a33 billion <\/strong>on the back of strong retail spending and increased demand to fly. Adjusted EBITDA\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0 climbed 4.4% to \u00a31,837 million<\/strong>. Remaining competitive whilst leading up to expansion remains a priority, with a focus on efficiency, resulting in operating costs per passenger falling 2% to \u00a314.14.<\/p>\n

Heathrow remains unique amongst global infrastructure assets, raising close to \u00a32.3bn from private investors across seven currencies (up from \u00a31bn in 2017)<\/strong>. Growing demand to invest in Heathrow underpins the airport\u2019s plans to entirely privately finance expansion and builds the airport\u2019s financial resilience ahead of Brexit <\/strong>(extending our liquidity horizon to March 2021).<\/p>\n

Finally, following one of the largest ever parliamentary majorities in the Airports National Policy Statement<\/a>, Heathrow\u2019s preferred masterplan continues to take shape. The airport will release the detailed plans in further consultation in June 2019 and<\/strong> remains on-track to submit a planning application in 2020 and for the first flights to use the new runway in 2026.<\/p>\n

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n

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\n \u201c2018 was the best ever year at Heathrow.\u00a0 We were voted best airport in Western Europe by passengers, while continuing to drive down costs.\u00a0 We improved safety and closed our gender pay gap.\u00a0 We were named \u201cResponsible Business of the Year\u201d and won an overwhelming parliamentary majority in support of Heathrow expansion.\u00a0 We remain on track to open the new runway in 2026.\u00a0 I am very proud of the outstanding work of 76,000 colleagues across the airport, who are delivering for Britain." <\/blockquote>\n\n