A graphical presentation of air traffic data reveals the extent of the dramatic 2020 Heathrow downturn. We live directly under a main landing corridor for Heathrow Airport. So, this directly affects our quality of life. To take a closer look at the data, I decided to make a chart in festive holiday colours (as one does). Passenger traffic is down to 1/7 of previous levels. Cargo still lags, though it has had a substantial rebound in recent months. For this I am thankful, because I need my organic Peruvian blueberries, right?

In any event, with the decline in air traffic I have been sleeping better. The lockdown has provided me with more time to ponder the joys of my little garden. Alas, this calm is also a reflection of severe economic and social disruption due to COVID-19. And, on the horizon in the new year is the end of the transitional phase of Brexit. This entails a further potential for disruption to trade with the EU. There has been progress in the EU-UK negotiations to soften the blow. Economists and business leaders are making the case for a liberal arrangement. Alas, UK politics being as they are, there remains a risk of a no deal Brexit for EU-UK trade.

A balanced Brexit outcome will provide the UK with continued openness to commerce on a preferential basis with its closest trading partner. This is clearly in the economic interest of the EU and the UK. Combined with a successful roll out of a COVID-19 vaccine, we may come closer to realisation of the full potential of this post-Brexit trade relationship. And, considering where I live, I hope that much of this commerce is via rail and sea!

The chart data are from here: https://www.heathrow.com/…/reports/traffic-