Retail revenue at London Heathrow Airport rose +5.4% to £156m in Q1 2018. 

London Heathrow International Airport has reported a +5.4% rise in retail revenue to £156m ($214m) in Q1 2018. Retail revenue per passenger in the period increased 2.3% to £8.82 ($12) compared to £8.62 ($11.80) in Q1 2017.

Total revenue in Q1 rose 3.8% to £680m ($931m). This was driven by ‘increased airside participation’, the aforementioned rise in spend per passenger and a -1.2% decline in operating costs per passenger.

The airport also handled a record 17.7m passengers in Q1 2018, an increase of +3.1% compared to the same period last year.

Long-haul traffic was the main driver, up +3.5%. Passenger increases in Asia Pacific (+3.9%) and Middle East (+3.6%) were the key contributing factors.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “We’re delighted that passengers are choosing Heathrow in record numbers. It is a strong signal that we’re delivering value for money.

“We’re within touching distance of Parliament voting on expanding Heathrow and now more than ever we are committed to developing and delivering a hub airport that Britain can be proud of for generations to come.”