A SURGE in foreign travel has boosted passenger numbers at Heathrow.
Some 7.7million used the airport in July — a record rise of 22 per cent on the 6.3million in the same month last year.
SOPA Images/LightRocket via GettA surge in foreign travel has boosted passenger numbers at Heathrow[/caption]
And the figure was only a little lower than 7.8million recorded in July 2019 — before the Covid pandemic.
The surge was driven by families looking to escape wet UK summer.
It was also boosted by a rise in long-haul flights to countries that had kept Covid restrictions for longer.
Flights to and from Asia soared 129 per cent over the year — and those to and from North America climbed 77 per cent.
July was Heathrow’s busiest ever month for flights to Turkey, with more than 73,000 flying there.
It also saw near-record levels of departures to Portugal and Italy.
Boss John Holland-Kaye said: “It’s great to see so many passengers getting away to grab some summer sun.”
He said security queues at the West London airport were now “consistently under five minutes”.
Airlines such as Wizz Air and Ryanair have reported an increase in ticket sales this year.
And the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact.
China crisis?
ONE of China’s biggest property developers — Country Garden — has warned of a six-month loss of up to £6billion.
It is a fresh blow for the world’s second-largest economy with exports falling and record youth joblessness.
Real estate giant Evergrande has said it has lost £64billion since 2021.
Row Bru-ing
SUPPLIES of Scottish favourite Irn-Bru could be disrupted at AG Barr’s production and distribution hub.
Drivers are holding nine 24-hour stoppages in a pay dispute at the centre in Cumbernauld.
AG Barr insisted: “We made an offer that we believe is fair and competitive.”