Business and traffic commentary Sept 2026

Heathrow

12 October 2026

 

Parliament has opportunity to unlock jobs, trade and growth as momentum for Heathrow expansion builds

Politicians, businesses, trade unions, regional airports and investors back expansion plans that would unlock more than 100,000 jobs and £33 billion of private investment across the UK

§ Heathrow welcomed almost 7.2 million passengers in September, underlining continued demand for the UK's only hub airport 

§ More than 40 airlines are seeking access to Heathrow, highlighting growing demand for routes, competition and consumer choice

§ Government analysis has confirmed expansion can be delivered within the UK's net zero commitments

§ Trade unions, business groups, regional airports, airlines, investors and an increasing number of politicians continue to support Heathrow expansion as a critical national infrastructure project

§ Polling shows overwhelming majority of local people (68%) support progressing the project, with expansion plans developed in close collaboration with local communities

§ Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, greenlight £33 billion of private investment and increase export capacity by 50% at the UK's largest port by value

A growing coalition of politicians, businesses, workers, regional airports and airlines are backing Heathrow expansion as Parliament considers plans that would unlock jobs, trade and investment across every region and nation of the UK. The Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement ('HENPS'), currently being reviewed by Parliament, sets the framework for how the UK can unlock the benefits of the project, while delivering it responsibly.

Despite recent headwinds including the Middle East conflict, new passenger figures published today show passenger demand remained strong with nearly 7.2 million passengers travelling through Heathrow in September, including almost 1.4 million transfer passengers who by using the UK's hub make additional destinations for airlines commercially viable for UK passengers and businesses. 96% of these passengers flying from Heathrow rated their experience as good or excellent.

Demand for access to Heathrow continues to exceed available capacity, with more than 40 airlines seeking slots at the airport. New carriers and expanded services would give passengers greater choice while demonstrating the continued strength of demand to fly from the UK's global gateway. But with the airport full and flights limited, airlines looking to launch or expand services are being forced to choose competing hubs overseas, taking connectivity, trade and growth opportunities away from the UK.

A larger Heathrow would create space for new airlines and new routes, increasing competition and helping deliver more choice and lower fares for consumers while strengthening connections between the UK's regions and global markets. Airlines as well as airports across the UK, including Aberdeen, Belfast City, Cornwall Newquay, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and Teesside all want Heathrow to expand at pace to improve connectivity and enable growth.

As Parliament reviews the HENPS, support for expansion has continued to grow. Trade unions including GMB, Unite and the TUC want the project to move ahead for the over 100,000 well-paid jobs and 5,000 apprenticeships it will unlock, as well as the pipeline of work the investment will deliver for UK supply chains. The Government estimates that about 400,000 tonnes of steel will be required for the project, about a sixth of the UK's annual production and representing hundreds of millions of pounds invested in domestic supply chains.

The Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has also recently confirmed that Heathrow expansion is compatible with the UK's efforts to meet net zero by 2050.

Major business organisations including the British Chambers of Commerce and Confederation of British Industry are firmly behind the project, noting the economic opportunities that additional hub capacity would bring across Britain. Figures published today show cargo traffic through the UK's hub continues to increase, up 5% in September year on year. Expansion would provide a major boost to British exporters by increasing cargo capacity by 50% at the country's largest port by value.

Polling of more than 9,000 residents across nine local boroughs in London, Surrey and Berkshire found that 68% support a third runway at Heathrow, with backing driven by the employment and economic opportunities expansion would create. This builds on support from trade unions, local businesses and business groups, colleges and universities, as Heathrow continues to progress its privately financed £33 billion expansion plans following years of consultation and engagement with local communities.

As international competitors continue to invest in aviation infrastructure and global connectivity, supporters of expansion argue that Britain now has an opportunity to strengthen its position as a leading trading nation and secure the long-term benefits of enhanced connectivity.

Ahead of his evidence session at the Transport Select Committee's hearing on the HENPS later this week, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:

"The debate about whether the UK needs additional hub airport capacity has been settled. Businesses, trade unions, regional airports, airlines and politicians agree that better global connections are critical if the UK is to compete, trade and grow.

"Expansion would unlock more than 100,000 jobs, inject £33 billion of private investment, strengthen British supply chains and increase export capacity for companies across the country. It would open the door to new airlines, new destinations and greater choice for consumers.

"This is not simply an investment in an airport. It is an investment in the UK's future competitiveness. At a time when other international hubs continue to grow and attract new routes, this country has an opportunity to strengthen its global connections and unlock growth in every nation and region.

"There is now a clear path forward. The private investment is available, the benefits are well understood and the Government has confirmed expansion can be delivered within net zero targets. After decades of discussion, Parliament now has the opportunity to unlock a project that can deliver lasting benefits for generations to come. We are ready to deliver it."

Traffic Summary
September 2026
Terminal Passengers (000s)	Sep 2026	% Change	Jan to Sep 2026	% Change	Oct 2025 to Sep 2026	% Change
Market
UK	367	-4.0	3,375	-0.2	4,580	-0.2
EU	2,568	-1.2	21,729	1.6	28,761	1.9
Non-EU Europe	467	1.7	4,273	2.5	5,660	2.3
Africa	267	-3.7	2,591	4.5	3,498	5.2
North America	1,856	-0.1	15,640	0.4	20,623	0.1
Latin America	160	-3.2	1,605	-1.1	2,144	-3.0
Middle East	561	-20.1	4,928	-23.2	7,288	-15.6
Asia / Pacific	934	3.3	8,760	6.2	11,534	5.5
Total	7,180	-2.3	62,901	-0.6	84,089	0.0
Air Transport Movements	Sep 2026	% Change	Jan to Sep 2026	% Change	Oct 2025 to Sep 2026	% Change
Market
UK	2,778	-4.0	26,967	-2.1	36,772	-2.2
EU	17,286	-4.4	154,096	-2.5	205,703	-1.5
Non-EU Europe	3,108	0.6	29,590	-0.3	39,669	0.3
Africa	1,189	2.8	11,495	3.9	15,596	4.0
North America	7,942	-3.1	69,420	-0.1	91,410	-0.2
Latin America	647	0.5	6,485	-1.8	8,690	-3.9
Middle East	1,965	-22.5	17,969	-22.1	26,600	-13.8
Asia / Pacific	3,904	8.8	35,356	8.5	46,803	7.6
Total	38,820	-3.4	351,379	-1.9	471,244	-1.0
Cargo (incl. Mail, Charter & Positioning flights) (Metric Tonnes)	Sep 2026	% Change	Jan to Sep 2026	% Change	Oct 2025 to Sep 2026	% Change
Market
UK	90	157.3	389	-21.5	581	-6.1
EU	5,774	1.6	54,016	0.8	74,143	-1.0
Non-EU Europe	3,509	-0.6	27,557	-10.3	36,248	-11.2
Africa	7,466	-1.4	71,362	3.2	97,368	0.8
North America	54,825	9.4	498,235	3.1	668,759	1.7
Latin America	4,313	-0.1	39,376	-7.8	53,453	-7.8
Middle East	18,443	-11.3	163,028	-13.4	230,793	-11.2
Asia / Pacific	36,896	13.3	339,683	10.7	450,214	9.0
Total	131,326	5.4	1,193,657	1.6	1,611,569	0.6

 

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