Heathrow handled 23 million passengers between June and August 2026, ending a strong peak summer season. In August alone, the airport welcomed 7.8 million travellers and recorded its busiest day ever on 2 August, when nearly 272,000 passengers passed through the hub.
Operational performance remained strong despite wider disruption across the aviation sector. Heathrow said 98% of passengers waited less than five minutes at security, while 98% of checked bags departed as planned. The airport also retained its position as Europe’s most punctual hub.
Xiamen Airlines became Heathrow’s newest carrier in September, while more than 40 existing and prospective airlines are reportedly seeking scarce slots. Around three-quarters of their proposed routes would be long-haul services, but the airport says its two runways are already operating at capacity.
Heathrow is using the figures to strengthen its case for expansion, arguing that additional runway capacity could support 108,000 jobs, increase the UK’s trading capacity by 50% and encourage greater competition. The airport maintains that the project would proceed within strict limits governing carbon emissions, noise and air quality.
Following the closure of the consultation on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, the airport is preparing to present its case to Parliament. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye described the list of airlines awaiting slots as Heathrow’s “longest queue” and called expansion a national project capable of unlocking wider economic growth.