Heathrow Airport welcomed a record 39.9 million passengers in the first half of 2025, its busiest six-month period ever, driven by strong demand for Asia-Pacific and Middle East routes, larger aircraft, and resilient transatlantic travel. The surge comes despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
The airport remains on track to surpass 84 million passengers for the full year, with the busy summer travel season now underway.
Heathrow also recorded significant improvements in service quality. It was named the most punctual major hub in Europe, with 98% of passengers clearing security in under five minutes and around 99% of baggage arriving with passengers. These milestones were recently recognized by Travel Weekly readers, who voted Heathrow the Best UK Airport.
Financially, revenue rose 1.9% to £1.724 billion in H1 2025, driven by growth in long-haul flying and strong retail and dining performance. Adjusted EBITDA grew by 0.8% to £959 million, while adjusted operating costs increased 3.2%, reflecting higher maintenance, energy, and insurance costs. No dividends were issued in Q2.
Looking ahead, Heathrow is preparing to submit its 2027–2031 investment plan to the Civil Aviation Authority. The plan prioritizes customer experience, operational resilience, and airline support, all while keeping airport charges below what they were a decade ago. The initiative is expected to boost jobs and fuel infrastructure growth without government funding.
Additionally, Heathrow will submit its long-term capacity growth proposal to the UK government by July 31. This fully privately financed expansion—including a new runway—could be operational by 2035, unlocking nationwide economic opportunities, increasing passenger choice, and strengthening the UK’s status as a global aviation hub.
CEO Thomas Woldbye said, “We are delivering on our vision to become an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. Our new five-year investment plan will mean faster, more reliable journeys and unlock room to grow, all while delivering better value for customers. Heathrow has an exciting future ahead, and we are ready to get going.”
