In the six months ended 30 June 2015, Heathrow Airport’s retail income increased 4.2% to £247m (US$382), up from £237m (US$367m) in 2014. Net retail income (NRI) grew 5.3 % to £237m and NRI per passenger rose 3.9% to £6.67 (US$10.33).

 

However, growth in duty and tax free stores – operated by World Duty Free Group – was moderated in part by the impact of the departure lounge development in Terminal 5.

Growth in airside specialist shops was ‘strong’, according the Heathrow Airport Holdings (HAH) with double-digit growth in luxury store income following the opening of the redeveloped luxury retail stores in Terminal 5.

 

“Brands including Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Rolex, Fortnum & Mason, Bottega Veneta and Hermes further strengthened Heathrow’s unrivalled airport shopping experience,” says the airport.

Catering ‘performed well’, driven mainly by enhancements in Terminal 5 and the strong offering in Terminal 2 which includes The Perfectionists’ Café, created by multi-award winning chef Heston Blumenthal, and YO! Sushi.

Click to enlarge tables below.

 

For the six months ended 30 June 2015, Heathrow’s traffic increased 1.3% to 35.5m passengers, a new record for the period. There was a 1.9% increase in the average number of seats per aircraft to 207.4.

 

European traffic was up 2.4% largely driven by British Airways’ success in filling its substantially increased short haul seat capacity. Domestic traffic increased 1.8%.

 

Intercontinental traffic was up 0.4%, with an increase in average aircraft size in part from the continued rise of A380 long haul aircraft that now account for around 20 arrivals and departures per day by eight airlines.

Increased frequencies on North America led to a rise of 1.4%, while traffic on routes serving the Middle East grew 2.5% reflecting increased flights and larger aircraft.

 

Traffic on Asia Pacific routes decreased slightly, partly reflecting the impact of competition from other international hubs, although there was significant growth on routes serving China and Hong Kong, where traffic increased 10%.

 

In March, Vietnam Airlines moved its London operations from Gatwick to Heathrow, following Air China‟s switch last year. Latin American traffic grew 10.6% reflecting Avianca‟s new route to Colombia as well as growth to Brazil and Mexico.
Heathrow invested £280m in the first six months of 2015 on programmes to improve both the passenger experience and airport resilience, as part of the £700m capital expenditure plan for 2015.

 

“For passengers, the focus has been on delivering faster and smoother journeys through the airport,” says LHR. In March 2015, Heathrow began operation of the Terminal 3 Integrated Baggage facility, and airlines are transitioning onto the system through to May 2016.

 

“This year passengers are also benefiting from new parallel loading security lanes in Terminals 4 and 5, which speed up the time to pass through security, and a new 800 space business car park in Terminal 5.

 

“The retail offer in Terminal 5 has been enhanced, giving passengers even greater choice, with luxury outlets including Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta.”

 

As previously reported, on 1 July 2015, the Airports Commission recommended Heathrow’s new North West runway plan, following three years of extensive consultation, evidence gathering and analysis.

 

“It recognises the unique role that Heathrow plays as Britain’s only hub airport,” adds Heathrow. “The Commission recommended that Heathrow expansion is the only solution to help British businesses compete for global growth and support a truly national recovery built on exports, skills and investment.”