London Heathrow Airport marks record passenger traffic and progress towards net-zero goals amidst growing demand

Heathrow, T5A, airside, view of airfield from T5A Departure Lounge, Feb 2019. Credit: London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) continues to progress towards its net-zero goals as demand grows, with February marking a record month for passenger traffic. The airport served over 5.7 million passengers, including a 7% increase in traffic to the USA and Canada. This was the busiest February ever, with daily passengers exceeding 200,000 for the twelfth consecutive month. Winter sunseekers flocked to destinations like the Caribbean, Italy, and Greece, while business hubs such as Delhi, Dubai, Mumbai, and Riyadh saw high load factors.

LHR remains committed to supporting the UK economy while reducing its environmental impact. The 2024 Sustainability Report highlighted a 7.5% reduction in carbon emissions in the air and 15% on the ground since 2019, keeping it on track for its 2030 targets. The airport also aims to reach 3% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) usage this year, surpassing the Government’s target by one percentage point.

Further strides in decarbonisation include reducing noise exposure by 18% compared to 2019, and a decrease in late flights, despite record traffic. Air quality monitors around the airport continue to meet UK pollution limits. LHR’s expansion plans are also moving forward, with proposals for a privately funded expansion set to be reviewed by the Government this summer.

In February, LHR, in partnership with the Department for Transport and Transportation Security Administration, launched a One Stop Security pilot to streamline transfers for North American passengers, further strengthening the UK’s aviation hub.

LHR CEO Thomas Woldbye commented: “Even during a traditionally quiet month for aviation in February, we saw sustained and growing demand to fly and export through Heathrow. As the UK’s gateway to growth, we must meet this increase in demand and do it without compromising our strategy to decarbonise and reduce noise impacts.”

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