London Heathrow Airport handled a record 80.1 million passengers in 2018, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period last year.
The growth was boosted by the use of larger and fuller aircraft. The latest achievement comes as Heathrow launched a fresh consultation on a third runway expansion plan.
This milestone means Heathrow has joined an elite club of seven airports in the world to achieve the 80 million annual passenger milestone.
More than 1.6 million tonnes of cargo travelled through the UK’s largest airport throughout 2018.
December alone saw 6.5 million passengers travel through Heathrow, making it the 26th consecutive record month.
Passengers from Africa and Latin America increased 9.3% and 7% respectively compared to last year.
Heathrow chief executive officer John Holland-Kaye said: “2018 has been an exceptional year for Heathrow, with record passenger numbers and service levels, and with MPs voting overwhelmingly in support of the expansion.
“We are on track to deliver an expanded Heathrow in the early years of Brexit, which will keep Britain as one of the world’s great trading nations.”
The airport also witnessed transportation of increased volume of cargo, with data revealing that around 132,000t of cargo passed through Heathrow last month.
Notable markets for cargo growth were Brazil, China and Turkey.
