Heathrow has climbed to the best year in its history after eight years of consecutive growth.

For the first time, the London airport welcomed a record-breaking 80.1 million passengers, up 2.7 per cent on last year.

Heathrow saw revenues increase three per cent to nearly £3 billion on the back of strong retail spend and increased demand to fly – supporting £793 million of investment into the airport.

Adjusted EBITDA was up 4.4 per cent to £1,837 million, with a focus on efficiency resulting in operating costs per passenger falling two per cent to £14.14.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow, said: “I am very proud of the outstanding work of 76,000 colleagues across the airport, who are delivering for Britain.”

Heathrow doubled its Chinese connections in 2018, adding six new cities including Europe’s only flight to Shenzhen.

The new services helped to push global trade flowing through Heathrow to 1.7 million tonnes last year.

Following support in parliament, Heathrow’s plan for expansion continues to take shape.

The airport will release the detailed plans in further consultation in June, and remains on-track to submit a planning application in 2020 and for the first flights to use the new runway in 2026.