Heathrow most punctual hub in Europe this year

Heathrow delivered the best on-time performance in Q3 with fewer cancellations, beating all European hubs to become Europe’s most punctual major airport.

Passenger appetite to travel through Heathrow is stronger than ever, with a record 23.4 million in Q3.

And, for the first time ever for a European airport, Heathrow welcomed over eight million passengers in August alone.

It notes that its investment in security checkpoints is also yielding results, with over 97% of passengers waiting less than five minutes.

Couple sitting in Terminal 2, chatting. A man and woman sitting on luggage at an airport.

MOST CONNECTED AIRPORT FOR THE THIRD-YEAR RUNNING

In summer 2025, the UK hub saw the launch of nine new routes, and its list of airlines will be shortly be joined by three new carriers, Riyadh Air, Air Peace, and IndiGo.

Cargo volumes through Heathrow have risen by 2%, and regions and nations across the UK now have direct access to 92% of the global economy.

ON TRACK TO DELIVER OVER £1BN OF INVESTMENTS FOR CUSTOMERS

Heathrow notes that it has invested £901 million so far this year to enhance passenger experience and resilience. One of these projects includes an upgrade to the passenger transit system in Terminal 5, adding a further six new vehicles to the fleet and a new track layout which will increase capacity whilst reducing waiting times for passengers.

IMPROVING HEATHROW AND UNLOCKING NEW CAPACITY

The gateway notes: “Our H8 investment plan will modernise and upgrade the existing airport between 2027 – 2031 with more investment in the changes customers want to see.

“The plan is being considered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and will be delivered with stretching efficiency targets and an average airport charge that is lower in real terms than it was a decade ago. Longer term, we are progressing our plans to deliver a third runway.

“Ministers are clear that they expect planning permission to be secured by 2029 and the third runway to be operational within a decade. We are engaging with the CAA on its initial proposals for costs associated with securing planning permission and will respond to the CAA’s autumn consultation on potential changes to the regulatory framework that will facilitate the timely delivery of the project.”

Causeway Nature Reserve, close to Heathrow Airport, Eastern balancing reservoir, October 2011.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

It notes that Q3 saw Heathrow take practical steps towards its net zero plan.

For example, a new pre-conditioned air system at Terminal 5C came online at 11 stands, improving air quality and reducing carbon on-stand.

“We also provided evidence to support the SAF Bill’s progress in Parliament to help scale domestic SAF production,” states the gateway.

“We upgraded our ‘Carbon Management Standard’, setting clearer requirements for improving data and managing emissions across capital projects and supply chain partners.

“As reported in our 2024 footprint, our supply chain emissions are above the 2019 baseline. In Q3, we commissioned a major study to better understand the drivers of this underperformance and opportunities to course correct.”

Heathrow CFO, Sally Ding, said: “This is a great time for Heathrow customers – with more people than ever flying from the airport, we are proud to be Europe’s most punctual hub and the best-connected airport in the world.

“We already invest over £1 billion every year to improve the airport and we have exciting plans to increase that investment to deliver the modern, upgraded facilities customers want.

“We are also working to unlock a third runway which can be operational within a decade, giving customers more value and choice and securing economic growth across the whole country for decades to come.

“Ministers now need to move forward to unlock this 100% privately financed investment and get Britain growing.”