A record breaking 78 million passengers travelled through the London Heathrow Airport in 2017, up 3.1 per cent on last year.

Passenger volumes were driven up by larger and fuller aircraft.

Heathrow also became one of the fastest growing major European hubs for cargo, with 1.7 million metric tonnes travelling through the airport - equivalent to the weight of 134,000 London buses or 136 London Shards.

Across the year, the key markets for cargo were the US, east Asia, and Europe.

Heathrow chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Heathrow had its best year ever in 2017 helping to strengthen the British economy as the country seeks to redefine its role in the world.

“Our colleagues welcomed 78 million passengers and supported the delivery of record volumes of British trade to markets around the world.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to deliver for Britain in 2018 as we progress our expansion plans.”

Heathrow’s annual noise and contour report revealed that the airport’s noise footprint was at its smallest recorded level in 11 years - with 15 per cent fewer households affected by noise, as a result of working with airlines to encourage the use of quieter aircraft.

Night time jet movements also decreased by a third (32 per cent) in 2017.