London Heathrow Airport’s ‘Reimagined’ campaign calls for urgent review of airport regulation and passenger charges

The Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), Arora Group, International Airlines Group (IAG), and Virgin Atlantic have launched Heathrow Reimagined: A Better Hub for Britain, urging the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to conduct a fundamental review of Heathrow’s regulation. The campaign aims to collaborate with industry, government, and the CAA to achieve necessary reforms.

For 15 years, London Heathrow Airport’s (LHR) substantial market power has led to inefficient spending, making it the world’s most expensive airport. Passengers and airlines now pay £1.1 billion more annually than at comparable European hubs. Heathrow’s ageing infrastructure and poor passenger experience have resulted in the airport dropping out of Skytrax’s Top 20 and being named “Europe’s most stressful airport”.

The campaign demands urgent CAA intervention before LHR’s expansion plans lead to even higher passenger charges, locking in costs for decades.

Industry Leaders Speak Out

Nigel Wicking, CEO, Heathrow AOC:
“Heathrow is rapidly falling behind other major airports in facilities and service while being the most expensive for charges. This cannot continue.”

Surinder Arora, Founder & Chairman, Arora Group:
“The current monopoly vastly overcharges passengers on aviation fees, parking, and services. The regulatory landscape must change, regardless of the third runway debate.”

Luis Gallego, CEO, IAG:
“Passenger experience at Heathrow does not match the cost. We need an urgent review of the regulatory system to improve affordability and service.”

Shai Weiss, CEO, Virgin Atlantic:
“Despite having the highest passenger charges in the world, Heathrow is failing consumers, airlines, and the UK economy. The regulatory framework must be reformed.”

Heathrow Reimagined highlights cost-efficient international hubs, including:

• Barcelona, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Munich – New terminals built at half the cost of Heathrow’s upgrades.
• Istanbul Airport – 200 million passenger capacity for €12 billion.
• New York JFK – £15 billion transformation completing in 2030.
• Singapore Changi – £8 billion expansion, adding 50 million passengers and a third runway.

Following its joint submission to the CAA, Heathrow Reimagined will engage with industry and government to push for regulatory reform, ensuring better value for consumers, businesses, and the UK economy.

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