Taylor Swift concerts boost Heathrow airport traffic in 2024

In the UK, Heathrow Airport reached a significant milestone by processing 30.7 million passengers between June and September, a period that included the summer holidays and the hosting of concerts by major artists like Taylor Swift. This surge in traveler numbers contributed to an overall total of 63.1 million passengers for the first nine months of the year. The airport also experienced its busiest operational days during this timeframe, with record-breaking departures and arrivals. The increased traffic has prompted Heathrow to raise its passenger forecast for 2024 to 83.8 million, a revision from its earlier estimate. Moreover, the airport is contemplating the reinstatement of dividends for its shareholders after suspending them since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on air travel. As Heathrow noted a pre-tax profit of £696 million for the first three quarters of the year, the reintroduction of dividends appears likely, dependent on continued positive financial performance. The last dividend payment occurred just before the pandemic, as the airport sought to manage its finances with lenders during challenging times. Ownership dynamics have also shifted significantly, with the infrastructure firm Ferrovial renegotiating its stake in the airport. The new agreement involves Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and French private equity investor Ardian acquiring substantial portions of the airport's parent company, indicating a changing landscape of Heathrow's ownership. As the airport moves towards potential dividend payments, the completion of these ownership changes could determine future shareholder payouts, adding an element of uncertainty in the upcoming months.