Overview

• Heathrow Airport recorded its busiest year in 2024 with 83.9 million passengers, surpassing its pre-pandemic peak in 2019.
• Despite the record, Heathrow forecasts only a modest 0.4% growth in passenger numbers for 2025, citing capacity constraints as a major limitation.
• The airport is nearing its government-imposed cap of 480,000 annual flights, with little room for further expansion without additional infrastructure.
• Plans for a third runway remain uncertain, as Heathrow's leadership has called for stronger government support before proceeding with the project.
• Other UK airports, such as Manchester and Stansted, experienced stronger growth rates in 2024, highlighting the competitive pressures Heathrow faces.