The good times are well and truly back for London’s Heathrow Airport which welcomed more passengers in the first six months of 2025 than ever before in a half year, hitting a record 39.9 million despite macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical events.
It notes that larger aircraft and strong demand for Asia-Pacific and Middle East destinations were the primary growth drivers.
The UK hub adds that transatlantic travel remains healthy, and these links contributed to a 2.4% growth in trade through Heathrow.
“With a busy summer holiday getting underway and continued strong leisure demand, we remain on-track to meet our forecast of over 84 million passengers this year,” stated Heathrow.
Most punctual hub in Europe underscores improving service
It boasts that more flights are departing on-time from Heathrow this year versus any other major hub in Europe in a sign that our strategy to boost service levels is working.
This strong performance, it says, is coupled with 98% of passengers waiting less than five minutes at security and circa 99% of bags travelling with their passengers.
Future investment
“Our next five-year investment plan will deliver the outcomes customers want – Our 2027-2031 investment plan is the next step in our strategy to become an extraordinary airport, fit for the future,” says the airport.
Heathrow, Terminal 5A, landside, passengers in check-in hall, 19th August 2019.
“Built around customer feedback and insight, our plan will improve passenger experience, boost operational resilience and enable airline growth. It is designed to be delivered affordably with the airport charge remaining competitive with global hubs and below what it was a decade ago.
“This private investment in UK infrastructure will boost jobs and drive growth in this Parliament. The CAA is now reviewing the plan.”
Unlocking new capacity at the UK’s gateway to growth
The statement continues: “We will submit our proposal to Ministers by July 31st on how we can secure long-term capacity growth at the UK’s hub airport. Our plans will be entirely privately financed and have the potential to kickstart economic growth across the whole of the UK from construction through to operation.
Passengers with luggage arriving at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 2.
“Depending on the Government’s response, we would aim to meet their ambition to secure planning permission in this Parliament and for the runway to be operational by 2035.
“New capacity would boost competition and choice for consumers, drive economic growth for the UK and improve operational resilience at the UK’s hub airport.”
Heathrow CEO, Thomas Woldbye, said: “We are delivering on our vision to become an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. We are welcoming record passenger numbers and improving the services that matter most.
“Our new five-year investment plan will mean faster, more reliable journeys, more on-time flights and unlock room to grow – all while delivering better value for customers.
“We will soon submit our long-term expansion plans to the Government, providing the UK with the opportunity to stay competitive, boost jobs and drive nationwide growth. Heathrow has an exciting future ahead and we are ready to get going.”
