London: Heathrow Lands Biggest Increase in European Airport Passenger Numbers

Heathrow notched up the biggest increase in passenger numbers of any European airport in the last year and claimed a recently introduced passenger cap has ended the summer of travel chaos. 

Over 6 million people travelled through Heathrow in July and an estimated 16mln are expected between July and September, the airport said.

And following months of travel chaos, the UK's busiest airport said the cap on departing passengers had improved the travel experience - with fewer last-minute cancellations, better aircraft punctuality and improved baggage delivery.

"Passengers are seeing better, more reliable journeys since the introduction of the demand cap," John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow chief executive, said.

"This has only been possible because of the collective and determined efforts of airport, airlines and wider Team Heathrow teams."

Air travel has been chaotic this summer due to staff shortages, which impacted air traffic control, check-ins and baggage collection. 

The airport insisted recruitment for this summer began last November, resulting in an extra 1,300 recruits.

Security resource is back at pre-pandemic levels, enabling 88% of passengers to clear security within 20 minutes or less, it said in a statement on 11 August.

Heathrow also attributed much of its success, when compared with other airports, to a well-performing Border Force this summer.

It claimed to be working to help them secure sufficient resources to serve the uptick in passengers returning to the UK over the next few weeks.