The west London hub, which is continuing to push for an additional runway, saw pre-tax profits increase from £183 million to £223 million. Passenger numbers were up 2.2% to 75 million.
Over the course of its financial year, which ended on December 31, Heathrow poached two long-haul airlines from rival Gatwick with both Garuda Indonesia and Vietnam Airlines switching their services.
John Holland-Kaye, chief executive, said: “As we approach our 70th anniversary, our colleagues are delivering the best service we’ve ever achieved to a record number of passengers.
Heathrow is busy talking up its environmental credentials as it looks to persuade regulators about a new runway.
The airport is attempting to reduce its emission levels and claims to be the only airport in the world to sign the Paris Pledge for action on climate change.
He said: “We’re also making strong progress on our environmental commitments by reducing emissions and noise, and another set of robust financial results underpins our plans to make Heathrow the most sustainable hub airport and the UK the best connected country in the world.
"I’m confident that this summer the government will agree with its Airports Commission that expanding Heathrow is the only way to secure Britain’s long-term economic future and meet environmental demands. We stand ready to deliver."
