UK. London Heathrow Airport served 7.2 million passenger in June, down -1.8% year-on-year, mainly due to reduced Middle Eastern traffic (down -26.2%) against the backdrop of war in the region.
The airport company highlighted a +1.2% rise in traffic to North America, aided by large numbers of fans travelling for the football World Cup. The figure marked a second consecutive month of increased travel to the region.
Asia Pacific was the fastest-growing region for passenger numbers in June at +2.5%.
Almost 40 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in the first half of the year, +0.2% higher than in H1 2025.
An airport company statement said: “Heathrow is effectively full, constraining opportunities to add new routes and frequencies to growing markets. Our privately funded expansion plans will unlock new connections and further strengthen trade. Crucially, expansion will help deliver economic growth across all corners of the UK, breathing new life into the country’s supply chains and steel industry at no expense to the taxpayer.”
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “It’s been a strong end to the first half of 2026, despite the challenges presented by the situation in the Middle East. Sustained growth in North American and Asia Pacific coupled with climbing cargo volumes demonstrates the strength of demand for global connectivity.
“As the government looks for projects that can drive economic growth across the whole of the country, attract investment and create new jobs for young people, Heathrow’s privately funded expansion presents an open goal. A third runway will unlock new opportunities for businesses, exporters and communities in every region and nation of the country. It’s time to get this vital project off the bench and onto the pitch.” ✈
