Heathrow has reported a flying start to the year, with the airport welcoming 5.8 million passengers in January.

Passenger volumes were up 1.1 per cent on 2017 while January marked the 15th consecutive record month for Heathrow.

Domestic flights were a key driver of growth, with UK flights up 6.9 per cent in the first month of 2018, following the increased uptake of Flybe’s offering.

South Asia and Latin America also saw remarkable growth, up 11.3 per cent and 6.9 per cent respectively.

Freight travelling through Heathrow reached record levels for the start of the year, as over 133,000 tonnes made its way through the airport in January, with export volumes growing by 10.6%

Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Heathrow is off to a flying start, with record passenger numbers and cargo volumes and the start of our public consultation on the third runway. 

“Heathrow expansion will provide the global trading routes to super-charge Britain’s economy as we leave the EU.”