Airport owner BAA has reported that Heathrow airport enjoyed its busiest September ever with 6.2m people flying from the airport last month.

The UK's busiest airport saw 6.22 million people flying from the airport last month, an increase of 7.6% over September 2009 - the largest year-on-year increase since July 2004

The increase was driven by a bounce-back in business travel as the global recovery picks up pace and airlines reopen routes that were closed during the recession.

There is also evidence that travellers have been taking trips that were cancelled during the volcanic ash cloud crisis this spring.

"Heathrow's record September figures underline that transport links are vital to our economy," said Colin Matthews, BAA chief executive.

"The growth reflects an improved outlook for our airline customers and an increase in business confidence, as shown by cargo figures which continue to outperform the pre-recession peak."

Across all of BAA's UK airports - which include Edinburgh, Southampton, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stansted - passenger numbers during September increased 3.3% on last year.