Increased flights to Inverness helped Heathrow to defy Brexit gloom as its reported passenger numbers were up to 6.5 million last month.
The international hub highlighted the launch of British Airways' second service to the Highlands as it posted its 29th consecutive month of record growth.
Passengers to Africa increased 6.2% on the same time last year while domestic connections were up 0.2%. BA and Flybe grew their loads by more than a fifth (23%), the latter launching an inaugural flight to Cornwall on March 31.
More than 149,000 metric tonnes of cargo travelled through Heathrow with freight to and from Africa growing by 11%, thanks to Virgin's growth on routes to the continent.
Latin America and Africa saw remarkable double-digit growth with the former up 23% on 2018 due to additional services to Brazil and increased volumes to Mexico.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: "Despite Brexit uncertainty, Heathrow remains a bright light for the UK, with the role we play in keeping people and products moving evident.
"Our new domestic connections will be pivotal in linking more regions and nations to global opportunities, benefiting all corners of this great country and we look forward to announcing many more of these as part of the expansion programme."
