Heathrow ‘on the cusp of a recovery’ with first full quarter of passenger growth since 2019

Heathrow’s chief executive says the airport is “on the cusp of a recovery” as it posts its first full quarter of passenger growth since 2019.

Britain’s busiest airport benefitted from strong pent-up demand for travel as pandemic-related restrictions continue to ease around the world.

Passenger numbers in the third financial quarter recovered to 28% and cargo to 90% of pre-pandemic levels but are not expected to fully recover until at least 2026, the airport’s bosses said.

The airport has suffered £3.4bn in total losses since the pandemic began in March last year, going on to shred the travel and tourism sectors.

But, with £4.1bn available in cash, Heathrow’s executives said they have the “financial strength…to be able to come through until the market recovers”.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “We are on the cusp of a recovery which will unleash pent-up demand, create new quality jobs and see Britain’s trade roar back to life – but it risks a hard landing unless secured for the long-haul.”

Heathrow last year lost its crown as Europe’s busiest hub to Paris and announced earlier this month that passengers could see airport charges rise by more than 50% next year as it tries to recover.

Last week, the UK aviation regulator said the airport would not be allowed to raise passenger charges by as much as suggested but Heathrow responded that the Civil Aviation Authority’s proposals “do not go far enough to ensure that investors can achieve a fair return”.

Heathrow is owned by Spain’s Ferrovial, the Qatar Investment Authority, and China Investment Corp among others, and said shareholders have had negative returns in real-term values over the last 15 years.