Heathrow saw its busiest ever January last month, with a record 5.45 million passengers travelling through the airport’s terminals, an increase of 1.3 per cent on January 2014.

Larger, fuller, quieter aircraft at Heathrow continued to be a driver for passenger growth.

Seats per aircraft increased two per cent to 209, while load factors increased 0.2 percentage points to 70.7 per cent.

Passengers per aircraft rose 2.2 per cent to 147.7

Within emerging markets, passenger volumes were particularly strong to Latin America – with Mexico increasing 17.9 per cent and Brazil 4.7 per cent.

The Middle East & Central Asia also saw growth of 4.9 per cent and passenger volumes to China grew two per cent.

Heathrow continued to welcome an increasing number of the transfer passengers that make such long-haul routes viable, with year-on-year volumes up 4.3 per cent.

Cargo volumes recorded growth of 3.3 per cent overall, including increases of 54 per cent to Mexico, 28.6 per cent to Brazil, 11.3 per cent to India, and 11.2 per cent to Turkey

Heathrow unveiled a £700 million enhanced noise insulation offer for local residents if the government grants planning approval for Heathrow expansion.

Shaped by feedback from a local public consultation, the offer is the only privately-funded of its kind and brings Heathrow in-line with other European hub airports

Major low-cost carrier easyJet declared its support for Heathrow expansion, citing it was in the best interests of its passengers, the airline and the UK economy

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support from our local community, businesses, Chambers of Commerce and politicians all over the country, unions and airlines.

“Politicians can now have the confidence that expanding Heathrow is not only Best for Britain, but also Backed by Britain.”