Heathrow Passenger Numbers Surge, but Industrial Action Looms
London Heathrow Airport, the busiest in the United Kingdom, has handled a record number of passengers in the first three months of 2024. According to the airport, 18.5 million passengers traveled through Heathrow from January to March, an average of 200,000 per day. This growth was primarily driven by increased demand on key business routes to destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, and North America, as well as surging demand from East Asia, which saw a 40 percent increase.
However, the airport’s positive performance is overshadowed by the threat of disruption due to planned industrial action. Over 300 members of the PCS union, who work for the UK Border Force, are scheduled to walk out from April 29 to May 2. Additionally, 50 aircraft refuellers from the Unite union will strike for 72 hours from May 4, and Unite is also calling out firefighters and other staff from May 7 to May 13.
Heathrow’s chief financial officer, Javier Echave, expressed confidence in the airport’s ability to handle the strikes. He stated, ‘We believe that these strikes are absolutely unnecessary. But, look, we respect the outcome. And what I can tell you is that we are ready and reassure passengers that actually, everyone will fly and will have the best possible experience at Heathrow.’
The airport reported an £83 million adjusted profit before tax for the quarter. However, Heathrow insists that a cap on charges imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority a year ago will leave a £400 million gap in its account over the next five years. The airport’s expansion plans, including a third runway, have been put on hold since the Covid pandemic, and Mr. Echave declined to comment on when the project might be revived.
