Business and traffic commentary Oct 2024

Half term boost lifts Heathrow into new passenger record

· Last month more than 7.2m passengers flew through Heathrow. Helped by the half term peak, the busiest ever October saw Heathrow reach a sixth consecutive month of more than seven million passengers, another first in a record year of performance

· Sustained demand throughout the summer period has pushed the annual forecast up. The airport now expects to close out 2024 having served 83.8 million passengers, an increase of 2.9 million on 2019's previous annual record of 80.9 million - the equivalent of welcoming 7,300 extra passengers every day, through the same four terminals and two runways

· As the clocks changed back in October, this signalled the start of the winter flying schedule. Heathrow passengers can now make the most of this season's changes, including new routes to Tromsø to explore the Northern Lights, better connections to business centres like Delhi, Jeddah and Chongqing and even more choice for popular family destinations like Orlando

· To give a growing number of passengers a great journey, Heathrow is investing in an airport fit for the future. Over £1bn will be invested this year alone, from refreshed retail spaces and new security lanes, to resurfaced runways and new equipment for assistance services

· Transport is rightly highlighted as enabling growth in the Government's evolving Industrial Strategy. Heathrow calls for a specific focus on supporting the growth of aviation and backing efforts to decarbonise - no other sector can truly open global opportunities for UK businesses at the pace needed to help deliver the Government's economic growth mission

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said:

"This year has been all about breaking records at Heathrow. To keep up with growing demand and progress towards our vision of an extraordinary airport fit for the future we are investing more than £1 billion in 2024 alone. Being home to the world's most connected airport is a huge boost for the UK economy thanks to Heathrow's unrivalled links for passengers and cargo. To maintain that competitive edge, the Government needs to recognise aviation's vital role in enabling and supporting other sectors in its Industrial Strategy."