Heathrow predicts a record year as consumers return to the skies

Heathrow Airport is prepping for one of the busiest summers of travel on record, with 30m passengers forecast to fly through between July and September.

Heathrow has increased the number of passengers it expects to travel through the airport this year to 82.8m, which is 1.4m more than it predicted in December 2023.

This would be above the current record for annual passengers of 80.9m set in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 79.2m people travelled through Heathrow’s terminals last year.

“Over the first five months of the year, we have seen a strong demand in traffic at Heathrow, with 32.4m passengers travelling through the airport,” it said in a market update.

Consumer appetite for foreign holidays has jumped since the start of the year, but prices have also remained high as operators seek to cash in on a post-pandemic spike in demand.

A 2023 survey by travel association Abta found that 64 per cent of Brits are planning foreign holidays in 2024.

The British Airways hub said adjusted earnings are forecast to be £1.94bn, about 12.8 per cent less than last year, while revenue is expected to be 4.6 per cent down on last year at £3.5bn.

Heathrow said aeronautical revenue is set to fall 9.7 per cent to £2.2bn, mainly because of a one-fifth reduction in regulatory charges since January 1.

Operating costs are forecast to rise by about 8 per cent to £1.5bn to accommodate the increase in demand.

In April, the airport posted a £189m pre-tax profit for the first three months of 2024, compared to a £60m loss during the same period last year.

“Operationally, we have performed well, delivering great service and successfully getting passengers on their way, particularly over the busy half terms, Easter and May public holidays,” it said.

By Alex Daniel, PA Business Reporter