Business and traffic commentary Dec 2025

Heathrow

12 January 2026

 

Record year for Heathrow brings benefits to passengers and airlines

§ Heathrow closed out 2025 in record-breaking style last month. Passenger numbers for the year surpassed 84 million for the first time ever, and we achieved our busiest December on record, with almost 7.2 million passengers travelling through the UK's hub

§ Highlights of the year included our busiest day ever on 1 August, when passenger numbers surpassed 270,000, outperforming 2024 in nine of twelve months, and maintaining our position as the world's most connected hub airport, delivering more choice for our passengers

§ Heathrow retained its crown as Europe's most punctual hub airport in December, with over 97% of passengers waiting less than five minutes for security. Baggage performance also improved to over 98% load rate in 2025, putting an extra quarter of a million bags on their intended flights compared to 2024, meaning smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers and airlines

§ In December, Heathrow moved 138k tonnes of cargo, with the 6th, 14th, and 20th setting 2025's top three records for cargo handling. From goods to mail, the year-on-year weight carried increased by 12,600 tonnes in 2025, cementing the airport's role as the biggest UK port by value

§ Passengers embraced the festive spirit at Heathrow, with an item sold at World Duty Free every 5.5 seconds

§ Heathrow is preparing for another record-breaking year in 2026, where we plan to invest over £1.3bn during the year in a further boost to customers and 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."  

Traffic Summary

Terminal Passengers  (000s)	Dec 2025	% Change	Jan to  Dec 2025	% Change	Jan 2025 to  Dec 2025	% Change
Market
UK	397	-1.0	4,588	-1.7	4,588	-1.7
EU	2,291	2.8	28,413	1.1	28,413	1.1
Non-EU Europe	503	4.1	5,557	-1.7	5,557	-1.7
Africa	318	6.8	3,387	2.1	3,387	2.1
North America	1,656	-2.6	20,555	-0.3	20,555	-0.3
Latin America	192	-9.0	2,161	-1.8	2,161	-1.8
Middle East	865	7.9	8,780	2.8	8,780	2.8
Asia / Pacific	966	1.6	11,022	2.6	11,022	2.6
Total	7,189	1.6	84,463	0.7	84,463	0.7
Air Transport Movements	Dec 2025	% Change	Jan to  Dec 2025	% Change	Jan 2025 to  Dec 2025	% Change
Market
UK	3,300	-1.4	37,346	0.5	37,346	0.5
EU	16,784	3.0	209,574	1.6	209,574	1.6
Non-EU Europe	3,549	4.6	39,745	-3.7	39,745	-3.7
Africa	1,425	4.5	15,160	1.1	15,160	1.1
North America	7,034	-1.0	91,512	0.5	91,512	0.5
Latin America	807	-8.5	8,807	-3.7	8,807	-3.7
Middle East	3,070	12.1	31,706	3.1	31,706	3.1
Asia / Pacific	3,934	5.5	44,033	1.8	44,033	1.8
Total	39,903	2.7	477,883	0.8	477,883	0.8
Cargo  (Metric Tonnes)	Dec 2025	% Change	Jan to  Dec 2025	% Change	Jan 2025 to  Dec 2025	% Change
Market
UK	55	7.6	688	29.7	688	29.7
EU	6,435	-3.9	73,707	-13.8	73,707	-13.8
Non-EU Europe	2,615	-15.4	39,413	-2.0	39,413	-2.0
Africa	8,718	-1.5	95,144	-1.2	95,144	-1.2
North America	57,326	3.0	653,655	4.6	653,655	4.6
Latin America	4,700	-7.6	56,797	2.0	56,797	2.0
Middle East	22,176	-6.8	256,026	-4.8	256,026	-4.8
Asia / Pacific	36,286	4.4	417,501	2.3	417,501	2.3
Total	138,311	0.2	1,592,931	0.8	1,592,931	0.8

 

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