Heathrow set to welcome 83.8m passengers in 2024

Heathrow Airport in the UK is poised to achieve a record-breaking 83.8 million passengers in 2024, following a notably busy summer where 30.7 million travelers passed through its terminals from June to September. This surge in passenger numbers saw the airport experiencing its busiest days ever on July 24 and September 2, which tested both its infrastructure and operational capabilities. The airport’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, reflected positively on the winter's performance, noting that over 91% of passengers experienced minimal wait times at security. Prior to this, the airport had recorded its highest annual passenger traffic in 2019, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected travel patterns. Now, with its adjusted profit soaring to £350 million for the first nine months of 2024, compared to a loss of £19 million the previous year, Heathrow is on a recovery path. This financial rebound has led to discussions about potential dividends for shareholders, although such payments remain under review in light of performance. Heathrow’s ownership is diverse, including significant stakes from sovereign wealth funds in China and Qatar, along with Spanish firm Ferrovial, which is in the process of selling its majority share to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. In a call for support, Woldbye urged government action during the upcoming Budget to foster long-term prosperity in the aviation sector. This momentum at Heathrow reflects broader trends in post-pandemic travel recovery, marking an essential phase for the UK’s aviation industry.