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Aerospace

Heathrow lands record Q1 performance

Heathrow achieved its 29th consecutive month of growth, welcoming a record 17.9 million passengers in Q1 2019.

Passenger satisfaction reached new highs with Terminal 5 beating international competition to be crowned the best airport terminal in the world at the annual Skytrax awards.

With its airport charges declining 2.4% to £22.13 per passenger, 82.6% of passengers said they had an “Excellent” or “Very Good” experience at Heathrow
       
Over 210 global destinations are now connected via a direct flight from Heathrow after the Newquay, Chengdu, Osaka, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Charleston routes launched in Q1.

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Higher retail spending resulted in £679 million in overall revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increasing by 1% to £406 million. Also, Heathrow's robust financial health has enabled it to access competitively priced funding which ultimately results in lower passenger charges, demonstrated by successful returns to both the EUR and CHF markets and multiple private placements by global investors.

Heathrow is now preparing to unveil its detailed preferred masterplan for public consultation in June, as its wish to build a controversial third runway remains a possibility following the High Court rejecting a legal challenge against it earlier today.

John Holland-Kaye, Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, said: “Twenty-nineteen is an important year for Heathrow as we put in place the building blocks that will define Britain’s global connectivity for decades to come.

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"With passengers continuing to choose Heathrow in record numbers, the strong backing of global investors and a credible plan to expand responsibly, we’re ramping up for growth.”

 

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MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

Aerospace

MTC accelerates strategic vision with non-exec appointments

7 January 2026

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has appointed Natascha Engel, Professor Paul Monks CB and Professor Rachel O’Reilly MBE as non-executive directors to its board, strengthening its commitment to deliver the UK’s industrial strategy and drive innovation in advanced manufacturing.

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

Aerospace

Norton Rose Fulbright expands global aviation offering

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Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has further strengthened its global aviation practice with the appointment of aviation finance partner Leo Fattorini as its Head of Aircraft Finance, Asia and the Middle East, based in Singapore.

IFS to acquire Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security

IFS to acquire Softeon

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IFS today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Softeon, a provider of cloud-native Warehouse Management, Warehouse Execution and Distributed Order Management solutions.

Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

Aerospace

Luton Airport and University of Beds sign AI partnership

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London Luton Airport (LLA) and the University of Bedfordshire have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration.

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STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

Aerospace

STARLUX takes delivery of first Airbus A350-1000

6 January 2026

STARLUX Airlines of Taiwan has taken delivery of its first of 18 A350-1000s, becoming the 11th global operator of the largest version of the A350.

Cranfield University

Aerospace

Cranfield University's NFLC secures Reach for the Sky funding

5 January 2026

Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory Centre (NFLC) has been successful in a bid for funding from the Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, a UK government led initiative aimed at encouraging young people into careers in the aviation sector.

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