Heathrow has reported a further increase in passenger numbers last month.

The airport welcomed 4.9 million travellers through its doors in February, a rise of one per cent against the previous year. Meanwhile, the number of seats per aircraft also rose by 1.6 per cent.

In addition, the passenger per aeroplane ratio grew a further 1.1 per cent to reach 139.6. However, load factors fell by 0.3 per cent, down to 69.3 per cent.

Another destination was announced last month, with the airport stating it would be offering four flights per week to Bogota. This is the first direct connection between the UK and Columbia for the past nine years.

Chief executive officer Colin Matthews commented: "The continued growth in traffic to emerging markets reflects the need to capitalise on regular, direct links to fast-growing economies which bring trade and growth to the UK."

The airport also revealed passenger numbers to China rose by 14.8 per cent last month, while the number of holidaymakers travelling to India also increased by 2.2 per cent.