Heathrow Airport welcomed over 7.2 million passengers in October, achieving a milestone sixth consecutive month surpassing seven million travellers.
Driven by strong half-term holiday demand, this surge places 2024 on track to be Heathrow’s busiest year yet, with an estimated 83.8 million passengers anticipated by year-end.
This figure would surpass the previous record set in 2019 by 2.9 million, equivalent to an extra 7,300 passengers each day across Heathrow’s four terminals and two runways.
October also marked the beginning of Heathrow’s winter schedule, with travelers gaining access to new routes, including Tromsø for Northern Lights experiences, and expanded connections to Delhi, Jeddah, and Chongqing.
For families, more options are available for Orlando, a popular destination.
To support the rising demand and enhance passenger experience, Heathrow is channeling over £1 billion into improvements this year.
This includes upgraded retail spaces, new security lanes, resurfaced runways, and additional assistance equipment, all part of a vision for a future-ready airport.
Heathrow has underscored the vital role of aviation in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, advocating for enhanced support for the sector’s growth and decarbonisation efforts.
With its global reach, Heathrow’s growth aligns with the UK’s economic expansion goals, positioning the airport as a critical facilitator for UK businesses seeking international opportunities.
Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow CEO said: “This year has been all about breaking records at Heathrow.
“To keep up with growing demand and progress towards our vision of an extraordinary airport fit for the future we are investing more than £1 billion in 2024 alone.
“Being home to the world’s most connected airport is a huge boost for the UK economy thanks to Heathrow’s unrivalled links for passengers and cargo.
“To maintain that competitive edge, the Government needs to recognise aviation’s vital role in enabling and supporting other sectors in its Industrial Strategy.”
