Heathrow Airport Reports Record Breaking Passenger Numbers
Passenger Growth
Passenger numbers reached 63.1 million in the first nine months of 2024, showing a 6.2% increase from the previous year. The summer period was particularly impressive, with the airport handling an unprecedented 30.7 million passengers between June and September. Two historic milestones were achieved: the busiest departure day on July 24 with 142,800 passengers flying out, and the busiest arrival day on September 2 with 140,500 passengers arriving.
Route Development
Several destinations have joined Heathrow's 'millionaire club' - routes serving over one million passengers - including Madrid, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Delhi. Popular summer destinations included Spain, Greece, Italy, and Turkey. The airport maintained its position as Europe's busiest hub in the first half of 2024, surpassing major competitors like Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
Financial Performance
Despite the surge in passenger numbers, total revenue decreased by 3.2% to £2,650 million, primarily due to lower charges set by the Civil Aviation Authority. However, retail revenue showed strong growth of 11.3%, reaching £572 million. The airport achieved an adjusted pre-tax profit of £350 million, a significant improvement from the £19 million loss recorded in the previous year.
Operational Excellence
The airport maintained exceptional service levels during this record-breaking period:
- Over 91% of passengers experienced security wait times under 5 minutes
- Departure punctuality improved from 62% to 68%
- Cargo tonnage increased by 8% in July 2024 compared to the previous year
Future Outlook
Heathrow has revised its 2024 passenger forecast upward to 83.8 million. The airport is investing over £1 billion in infrastructure improvements this year. Management is advocating for government support through the Autumn Budget, particularly focusing on sustainable aviation fuel initiatives and policy reforms to enhance the aviation sector's long-term success.