London Heathrow Airport recorded its busiest year to date in 2025, welcoming over 84.5 million passengers and securing its position as Europe’s busiest hub airport.
The airport forecast further incremental growth for 2026, with the airport on track for an uplift to 85 million passengers. Demand continues to outpace the limits of the airport’s current infrastructure, reinforcing the need for expansion.
Heathrow named most punctual hub in Europe in 2025
In 2025, Heathrow was crowned the most punctual hub in Europe, consistently outperforming all major hub airports. Over 4.2 million more passengers flew on time compared with 2024, and baggage and security performance continued to strengthen.
The airport also revealed that 97.3 percent of passengers waited less than five minutes for security, and baggage load rates were close to 99 percent, resulting in smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers.
“Last year, everyone at Heathrow rallied behind our ambition to deliver exceptional operational performance for our customers. Not only did we meet that goal, we surpassed it and achieved record‑breaking service levels. With strong foundations in place and with the airport now operating very close to capacity, the next chapter is crucial to our success,” said Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye.
“Expansion will unlock significant economic benefits and create an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. In 2026, we’ll continue progressing our plans so we can deliver for both our customers and for the country,” he added.
Heathrow to invest £1.3 billion in expansion projects
Heathrow revealed that £1.3 billion will be spent over the coming year in capital investment programs. This will kickstart work to revamp Terminal 4, progress with the new baggage system design for Terminal 2 and drive improvements to services for passengers with accessibility needs, all of which will contribute towards making the airport more user-friendly and resilient for customers.
Expansion at Heathrow is the Government’s flagship infrastructure project to drive long-term economic growth, and shareholders recently approved new investment to begin work on the planning application, marking a significant step forward for the project.
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Heathrow to pay £550 million dividends
Heathrow reported increased revenue of £3.6 billion but a flat adjusted EBITDA of £2.0 billion, as the benefit of higher passenger numbers was offset by lower airport charges set by the CAA, increased maintenance costs and the expenditure needed to support operational performance.
“Our improved workforce planning has made a positive impact on employment costs, however maintaining the ageing asset base is demanding an increased spend. We continue to maintain a strong financial position with liquidity of £2.9 billion,” added the statement.
Heathrow’s Board decided to pay dividends totalling £550 million to the ultimate shareholders during the financial year, the first time in 5 years.
“Progress continues towards our sustainability commitments. In 2025, we stepped up our industry-leading SAF incentive program, with record amounts of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (‘SAF’) used at Heathrow. Our 2026 goal looks to go further, with the aim to reach 2 percent above the UK mandate, totalling 5.6 percent SAF usage at the airport,” the statement added.
The airport launched its Resources and Waste Strategy, setting clear targets to increase recycling and reduce waste across the airport. In addition, it continued to implement its Noise Action Plan, reducing the impacts of night flights and providing noise insulation to local homes.
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