The volume of air cargo being handled at Heathrow Airport fell yet again in July 2013.

New figures have shown that while passenger numbers continue to rise sharply, the freight sector is still struggling.

Some 6.9 million people passed through the London-based aviation hub during the month, which was a 5.5 per cent increase on the corresponding period in 2012.

While these results appear impressive, they can be partially attributed to lower traffic last year as a result of the Olympic Games.

 

Chief executive at Heathrow Colin Matthews thinks the passenger statistics reiterate the point that the airport is well placed to support a third runway.

"Our passenger figures underline the UK's urgent need for a single hub airport with the capacity to meet the demand for links to emerging economies," he remarked.

Expanding Heathrow is just one of many options that have been submitted to the Airports Commission, which will have to decide the best way to increase the nation's airport capacity.