Heathrow pushes third runway as 40 airlines seek access

London Heathrow processed just under 7.2 million passengers in September, of which roughly 1.4 million were transfers, the airport has reported. Freight volumes rose by five percent compared with the same month a year earlier.

According to the airport, more than 40 airlines are currently seeking access to Heathrow, where capacity is described as largely used up.

Heathrow is using those figures to argue again for a third runway, while the British parliament reviews the conditions for the expansion. The airport says the project would be privately financed and would trigger investment of 33 billion pounds, or about 38 billion euros, and create more than 100,000 jobs.

A survey of over 9,000 residents living near the airport found 68 percent in favour, the airport said.