Almost 75m passengers passed through Heathrow's terminals last year, a record annual figure and a 2.2pc rise on the year before.

Travel to emerging markets from the UK's largest airport spiked during the year, with the number of flyers to China up 14pc, while trips to Latin America and the Middle East increased 8pc and 6pc respectively. However, domestic flights slumped 15pc and travel to Europe rose by just 0.9pc.

Larger, quieter aircraft also contributed to the overall increase in passengers, with seats per aircraft rising 2.1pc to 209, and passengers per aircraft rising 1.9pc to 160.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said the airport was poised for growth, if plans for a third runway are approved this year.

"Our new expansion plan will make Heathrow the most sustainable hub airport, and Britain the best connected country in the world. We are ready to serve," he said.

Gatwick is still campaigning to add another landing strip despite failing to win the backing of the Airports Commission.

MPs were due to report on whether Heathrow would get the green flag for a third runway this month, but the Government recently decided to delay the decision until the Summer.

The decision prompted backlash from business leaders, who said the delay was "gutless".

The British Chambers of Commerce said it was "bad for business", while Heathrow's departing chairman Sir Nigel Rudd accused ministers of putting politics before the economy by delaying a decision on a third runway.

“It’s difficult to understand the thinking behind the decision to throw it into the long grass other than it’s political - that the Prime Minister has enough on with the European referendum," he said. （By Elizabeth Anderson）