Heathrow Airport has reported a historic surge in passenger numbers, welcoming a record 39.8 million travelers in the first six months of 2024. This exceptional growth underscores the airport’s increasing appeal, despite facing challenges from competitive tax and border policies that drive passengers to other European hubs.
Heathrow is advocating for the new Government to support the aviation sector with cohesive policies that enhance its long-term competitiveness. The airport’s ambition is to become the preferred European hub for travel, shopping, and transfers, a crucial goal for bolstering the entire UK economy.
June 30th marked Heathrow’s busiest day on record, with over 268,000 passengers on more than 1,300 flights. The rise in passenger numbers has been fueled by high load factors and larger aircraft, with destinations in Asia and the Middle East seeing demand more than double in recent years.
A workforce of 90,000 Team Heathrow colleagues has been instrumental in maintaining strong operational performance during this bumper summer. Departure punctuality has improved to 72.8% in the first half of 2024, and over 95% of passengers passed through security in less than five minutes.
Despite the surge in passenger traffic, aeronautical revenue has decreased by nearly 8% due to the CAA’s stringent H7 settlement. However, Heathrow has made strides in addressing a £400 million shortfall from the settlement, achieving a £178 million adjusted profit before tax in the first half of the year through operational efficiencies and streamlined processes.
Heathrow’s refreshed business strategy is guided by six key beacons, ranging from short-term goals like creating a ‘winning team’ and being ‘fast and focused’ to long-term aims such as a ‘digital future’ and ‘creating capacity’. The ‘people and planet’ beacon has seen significant progress, including the introduction of ultra-rapid EV charging hubs airside, capable of powering operational vehicles for multiple days in under 30 minutes.
Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow, praised the dedication of his team, stating, “Serving record-breaking passenger numbers while continuing to deliver excellent customer service is no easy feat and is testament to the dedication of my hardworking colleagues. In addition to the nearly 40 million passengers that flew through Heathrow during the first 6 months, so did 765,000 tonnes of cargo, supporting world-leading British industries to access global export markets. We are working hard to deliver economic benefits for all of the UK, but this needs to be supported by joined-up policy making that prioritises global competitiveness and sustainable growth. We are encouraged by the new Government’s recognition of Heathrow’s role in powering growth across the country, and look forward to working with Ministers to ensure we are firing on all cylinders and retain our global standing.”
