UK. London Heathrow Airport served 6.7 million passengers in April, bringing the total above 25 million for the year to date. The airport said the result keeps it on track for a record-breaking passenger year.
During the month, the airport served a daily average of 224,000 passengers, while Friday 19 April saw the airfield’s busiest day since October 2019 with 1,337 flights.
East Asian and Middle Eastern routes have seen double-digit percentage increases in passengers, the airport noted. A surge in passengers to Delhi and Mumbai has made these the sixth and eighth most popular destinations so far this year with New York, Dubai and Doha holding the top three spots.
Terminal 2 welcomed its millionth flight on Saturday 27 April when an Icelandair plane travelling from Keflavik International Airport landed. The terminal will celebrate its tenth anniversary this summer.
Despite the impressive April numbers and the positive outlook for growth, Heathrow warned that current government policy is curtailing the UK’s global connectivity.
It highlighted initiatives such as the introduction of unnecessary visas for transiting passengers, the absence of tax-free shopping and the recently proposed hike in business rates. The airport said these policies underscore the need for Ministers to take a cross-government approach to policymaking that supports UK aviation’s global competitiveness.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “It takes an extraordinary team to deliver this strong performance and I’m proud of what everyone across the airport has achieved so far this year. As we continue to grow, our focus is on making Heathrow fit for the future, delivering reliable journeys for all our customers today and getting ready for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
“But to unlock our full potential to help grow the country’s economy, we need the government to implement policies that support UK aviation’s ability to compete globally, and thus make the UK more competitive overall.” ✈
