In March 2025, Heathrow Airport welcomed more than 6.2 million passengers. While this represents a slight decline compared to the same period in 2024, the dip was largely attributed to the timing of Ramadan and a later Easter, both of which significantly influenced travel patterns. Additionally, a 10-hour airport closure caused by a power supply failure—linked to a major fire at National Grid and SSEN’s North Hyde substation—impacted operations.
Despite these challenges, Heathrow continued to play a vital role in supporting UK trade, handling over 144,000 tonnes of cargo throughout the month. A notable highlight was a 4% year-on-year increase in cargo transported in the belly hold of passenger flights. Among the cargo, Mother’s Day flowers stood out, with an estimated 2,800 tonnes of floral shipments arriving just in time for the holiday.
As the UK’s premier aviation hub, Heathrow is set to expand its global connectivity further. Eight new and resumed routes are joining its extensive network, offering travellers fresh opportunities to explore key destinations. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, and British Airways are introducing new services to several capital cities, including Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Ottawa in Canada, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
The airport’s global reach now extends to cities home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites across three continents. These include Canada’s Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Santiago de Compostela’s Old Town in Spain, the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna in Rimini, Italy, and Georgia’s Historic Monuments of Mtskheta in Tbilisi. Notably, the addition of Tbilisi marks the first direct route from Heathrow to the Georgian capital in a decade.
Looking ahead, Heathrow anticipates a rise in passenger traffic over the coming months as travellers make plans to reconnect with family and friends during the Easter holiday and take advantage of the upcoming May bank holidays.
Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow’s CEO, expressed optimism despite the minor drop in March passenger numbers. “It’s great to see strong demand to travel through Heathrow,” he said. “Whilst passenger numbers were slightly down due to changing holidays this year, belly hold cargo on passenger flights was a bright spot growing 4% and underlining the importance of Heathrow as the UK’s gateway to growth. We are still on track to see another record year in 2025 and colleagues are working hard preparing for a busy Easter and May Bank Holiday getaway.”
