Business and traffic commentary Oct 2025

Summary by AI BETAClose X

Heathrow reported a record 7.3 million passengers in October, its busiest ever, with on-time performance remaining the best in Europe, and plans to increase investment to £2 billion annually from 2027. The company is urging the Treasury to address a significant increase in business rates, warning it could deter investors and impact the UK aviation sector. Heathrow is also providing further information on its £33 billion expansion proposal, which includes a £15 billion modernization program, aiming to deliver national growth.

Disclaimer*

Heathrow
11 November 2025
 

Heathrow ready for growth after another record month of on-time performance

 

·    A bumper half-term lifted Heathrow to a record 7.3m passengers last month, buoyed by a surge to European cities including Brussels, Lyon, Marseille and Vienna

·    During the busiest ever October, airport and airline colleagues worked together to remain the most punctual hub airport in Europe, serving more passengers on time than any other competitors

·    Achieving this level of service and ensuring Heathrow remains fit for the future needs continued investment, with plans to step up to £2bn a year from 2027

·    The Treasury is urged to use the upcoming budget to address the Valuation Office Agency's punitive revaluation in business rates for airports. Heathrow faces an eye-watering multiple-fold increase. Left unchecked, these would drive unacceptable costs for airlines and could deter private investors who are ready to help UK aviation to grow and improve services, with billions in UK supply chain spend at stake

·    This week, Heathrow is responding to the Government's request for further information about its expansion proposals. It is the only option that can deliver growth for the whole country during construction and once open. It includes the £33bn expansion alongside a £15bn programme of modernisation to today's airport

 

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:

"The numbers speak for themselves - working with airlines, Heathrow is serving more passengers on time than any other European hub. We have the skills and knowledge to deliver a world-class airport today, and we are ready and waiting to use this to expand the UK's gateway to growth."

 

 


Traffic Summary

 

















October 2025

 
















Terminal Passengers
(000s)

 Oct 2025

% Change

Jan to
Oct 2025

% Change

Nov 2024 to
Oct 2025

% Change

 


Market









UK

           403

2.5

       3,786

-1.7

        4,599

0.1



EU

        2,578

2.9

      23,959

0.8

      28,303

1.6



Non-EU Europe

           462

-1.7

       4,632

-2.6

        5,527

-2.2



Africa

           292

7.8

       2,773

1.1

        3,347

0.4



North America

        1,846

-0.3

      17,418

-0.1

      20,601

0.5



Latin America

           171

-4.6

       1,793

0.1

        2,203

2.8



Middle East

           713

4.3

       7,132

1.7

        8,660

2.8



Asia / Pacific

           901

4.7

       9,148

2.6

      10,976

3.6












Total

        7,366

2.1

      70,640

0.5

      84,216

1.3

 




















Air Transport Movements

 Oct 2025

% Change

Jan to
Oct 2025

% Change

Nov 2024 to
Oct 2025

% Change

 


Market









UK

        3,176

-1.2

      30,717

1.4

      37,568

4.1



EU

      18,388

0.7

    176,355

1.5

    208,991

1.5



Non-EU Europe

        3,223

-4.0

      32,889

-5.3

      39,417

-5.5



Africa

        1,293

2.9

      12,352

0.4

      15,034

0.4



North America

        8,115

0.7

      77,637

0.7

      91,601

0.3



Latin America

           687

-6.4

       7,289

-2.1

        8,991

0.5



Middle East

        2,616

5.6

      25,691

0.9

      30,982

2.0



Asia / Pacific

        3,729

2.9

      36,315

1.0

      43,599

1.0












Total

      41,227

0.6

    399,245

0.6

    476,183

0.8

 




















Cargo
(Metric Tonnes)

 Oct 2025

% Change

Jan to
Oct 2025

% Change

Nov 2024 to
Oct 2025

% Change

 


Market









UK

             56

63.9

          552

25.0

           641

28.8



EU

        6,470

-7.7

      60,051

-15.8

      74,321

-17.2



Non-EU Europe

        3,316

-5.4

      34,038

1.3

      40,650

0.2



Africa

        8,515

-6.0

      77,653

-0.2

      96,090

2.3



North America

      55,997

-6.8

    539,129

5.6

    653,184

6.4



Latin America

        4,720

-4.1

      47,440

4.7

      57,790

5.7



Middle East

      21,845

-6.0

    210,106

-4.7

    258,544

-4.2



Asia / Pacific

      36,291

-1.0

    343,262

1.3

    412,659

1.9












Total

    137,212

-5.1

 1,312,231

1.1

 1,593,877

1.7

 










 

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