Heathrow experiences record October with 7.2 million passengers, forecasting 83.8 million for 2024, and invests over £1 billion in infrastructure improvements.
Last month more than 7.2 million passengers flew through Heathrow. Helped by the half term peak, the busiest ever October saw Heathrow reach a sixth consecutive month of more than seven million passengers, another first in a record year of performance
Sustained demand throughout the summer period has pushed the annual forecast up. The airport now expects to close out 2024 having served 83.8 million passengers, an increase of 2.9 million on 2019’s previous annual record of 80.9 million – the equivalent of welcoming 7,300 extra passengers every day, through the same four terminals and two runways
As the clocks changed back in October, this signalled the start of the winter flying schedule. Heathrow passengers can now make the most of this season’s changes, including new routes to Tromsø to explore the Northern Lights, better connections to business centres like Delhi, Jeddah and Chongqing and even more choice for popular family destinations like Orlando
To give a growing number of passengers a great journey, Heathrow is investing in an airport fit for the future. Over £1 billion will be invested this year alone, from refreshed retail spaces and new security lanes, to resurfaced runways and new equipment for assistance services
Transport is rightly highlighted as enabling growth in the Government’s evolving Industrial Strategy. Heathrow calls for a specific focus on supporting the growth of aviation and backing efforts to decarbonise – no other sector can truly open global opportunities for UK businesses at the pace needed to help deliver the Government’s economic growth mission
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “This year has been all about breaking records at Heathrow. To keep up with growing demand and progress towards our vision of an extraordinary airport fit for the future we are investing more than £1 billion in 2024 alone. Being home to the world’s most connected airport is a huge boost for the UK economy thanks to Heathrow’s unrivalled links for passengers and cargo. To maintain that competitive edge, the Government needs to recognise aviation’s vital role in enabling and supporting other sectors in its Industrial Strategy.”
Traffic Summary
| October 2024 | ||||||
| Terminal Passengers (000s) |
Oct 2024 | % Change | Jan to Oct 2024 |
% Change | Nov 2023 to Oct 2024 |
% Change |
| Market | ||||||
| UK | 393 | 8.9 | 3,853 | 10.1 | 4,595 | 9.9 |
| EU | 2,506 | 8.2 | 23,763 | 7.8 | 27,870 | 8.2 |
| Non-EU Europe | 470 | 2.6 | 4,756 | 7.3 | 5,650 | 7.9 |
| Africa | 271 | -12.8 | 2,744 | -8.8 | 3,335 | -7.0 |
| North America | 1,852 | 2.2 | 17,443 | 3.1 | 20,494 | 4.0 |
| Latin America | 179 | 6.4 | 1,791 | 4.5 | 2,142 | 4.7 |
| Middle East | 684 | 0.1 | 7,015 | 6.2 | 8,428 | 6.8 |
| Asia / Pacific | 860 | 1.1 | 8,918 | 10.1 | 10,597 | 12.4 |
| Total | 7,215 | 3.7 | 70,284 | 6.0 | 83,111 | 6.8 |
| Air Transport Movements | Oct 2024 | % Change | Jan to Oct 2024 |
% Change | Nov 2023 to Oct 2024 |
% Change |
| Market | ||||||
| UK | 3,213 | 13.7 | 30,296 | 14.0 | 36,084 | 12.8 |
| EU | 18,257 | 5.4 | 173,735 | 6.4 | 205,807 | 6.9 |
| Non-EU Europe | 3,356 | -2.7 | 34,743 | 5.6 | 41,725 | 5.9 |
| Africa | 1,257 | -5.4 | 12,306 | -4.4 | 14,975 | -3.1 |
| North America | 8,062 | -3.9 | 77,067 | 0.2 | 91,325 | 1.6 |
| Latin America | 734 | 2.7 | 7,447 | 2.6 | 8,946 | 3.1 |
| Middle East | 2,477 | 0.2 | 25,471 | 2.2 | 30,381 | 2.9 |
| Asia / Pacific | 3,624 | -2.1 | 35,962 | 6.0 | 43,163 | 8.0 |
| Total | 40,980 | 1.9 | 397,027 | 4.8 | 472,406 | 5.6 |
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
