UK. London Heathrow Airport served 6.1 million passengers in November, a rise of +10.2% year-on-year.
Passenger traffic to North America peaked ahead of the Thanksgiving festive period with over 50,000 passengers flying across the Atlantic from Heathrow on the Friday before the holiday. Departures to India also surged amid Diwali (Festival of Lights) celebrations, with 15 daily flights to India from Heathrow.
On 28 November, the first 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)-powered transatlantic flight departed Heathrow to New York, a pioneering moment for the UK aviation industry, noted Heathrow.
Toronto, Singapore and Chicago all joined what Heathrow called the ‘millionaire club’ in November with over a million passengers travelling on those routes so far in 2023. Lisbon, San Francisco and Edinburgh are all close to achieving this same milestone, which is set to be reached by over 20 routes operating at Heathrow by the end of the year.
A strong December is forecast with departure numbers predicted to peak in the week before Christmas Day.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “For so many, holidays and cultural festivities are all about spending quality time with friends and family. Last month saw passengers travelling to celebrate Thanksgiving and Diwali with their loved ones and we are making final preparations for the Christmas getaway.
“We need to protect these benefits of aviation in a world without carbon, which the history making 100% SAF transatlantic flight proved is possible. Now we need collaboration between industry and government who both have critical deliveries, to scale up SAF production to make 100% SAF flights an everyday reality.” ✈
