Heathrow Marks 7th Month as Europe’s Most Punctual Hub

Heathrow Airport has maintained its position as Europe’s most punctual major hub for the seventh consecutive month, outperforming rivals in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Paris. The UK’s largest airport welcomed 7.9 million passengers in July — its busiest month on record.

 

On August 1, Heathrow recorded its highest-ever daily traffic with 270,869 passengers. Despite the surge, operations remained smooth, with 95% of travellers clearing security in under five minutes. North American routes saw record activity, up 0.9% from July 2024, boosted by travel demand surrounding US Independence Day.

The airport has expanded retail offerings, with lululemon opening its first European airport store in Terminal 5 and Marks & Spencer launching its first airside location. Partnerships with WHSmith and Lagardère Travel Retail also brought RELAY stores to the UK and introduced three flagship WHSmith travel outlets.

Looking ahead, Heathrow has submitted a proposal to the UK Government for a 100% privately funded third runway, aiming to be operational within a decade. The expansion is expected to lower airfares, add more destinations, and boost the UK economy by 0.43% of GDP. It also includes upgrades to the M25 motorway and plans to increase cargo capacity by 50%.

CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “We continue to break records as Europe’s largest and most punctual hub, adding value for our airline partners and passengers. Our expansion plan will deliver extraordinary service, wider choices, and economic growth for the UK.”