Heathrow experienced its busiest ever September with 6.58 million passengers choosing travelling to and from the airport last month.

Owned by Heathrow Holdings Ltd, which is to sell off its other three remaining British airports by January 2015, the west London airport saw an increase of 0.3 per cent of travellers compared to September 2013.

The climb was supported by larger, fuller planes with more seats per aircraft and higher passenger numbers per plane.

Flights to emerging markets continued to see a boost in passenger volumes with an increase to Mexico (17.6%), China (14.9%) and Brazil (10.3%).

Transfer passengers on long haul routes also performed well, rising by 2.9 per cent, and cargo saw a 7.8 per cent increase.

According to two independent polls, there is growing support among MPs and local residents for Heathrow's expansion delivered through a third runway, with 91 per cent of those who support it believing it will get parliamentary approval (Ipsos MORI).

In addition, 49 per cent of people living close to the airport support an additional runway with 32 opposing it (Populus).

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “September saw growing support from MPs and local residents for expansion at Heathrow as the best solution to the UK’s hub capacity crisis.

"Heathrow handles a quarter of all British exports by value, but is full.

"More and more people are asking "how can we double Britain's exports if we don't expand Heathrow?.”