UK. London Heathrow Airport served 84.4 million passengers in 2025, an increase of +0.7% year-on-year and a new annual record. The UK’s largest gateway posted its busiest December yet with almost 7.2 million travellers, +1.6% on a year earlier.
Highlights of the year included Heathrow’s busiest day ever on 1 August, when passenger numbers surpassed 270,000, while passenger traffic outperformed 2024 in nine of 12 months.
Heathrow retained its status as Europe’s most punctual hub airport in December, with over 97% of passengers waiting less than five minutes for security. Also in the month, Avolta-owned World Duty Free sold an item every 5.5 seconds amid a busy festive period.
Heathrow management is targeting another record-breaking year in 2026, with plans to invest over £1.3 billion during the year to boost service.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “December’s record-breaking performance shows the strength of demand for Heathrow and the benefit to passengers of the great service our colleagues are providing. Last year, there was no hub airport in Europe that was more punctual than Heathrow and we look forward to building on that success in 2026.
“With the Government’s support for our expansion plans, and the right regulatory framework from the CAA to secure private investment, we can unlock even more of that connectivity, trade and economic growth for the UK.” ✈
