London-Heathrow has the passengers, but not the slots

August alone saw 7.8 million passengers welcomed, including a busiest-ever day on August 2, when nearly 272,000 passengers passed through the airport.

Despite some big challenges across aviation this season, passengers consistently had smooth journeys. Heathrow said 98% waited less than five minutes at security, while 98% saw their bags depart as planned, helping the airport retain its title as Europe’s most punctual hub.

But behind the strong summer performance is a growing queue of airlines waiting for something Heathrow cannot currently provide: slots.

Xiamen Airlines became Heathrow’s newest carrier this week. The number of incumbent and prospective airlines seeking scarce slots now exceeds 40.

Three-quarters of the proposed new routes would provide vital long-haul links, but Heathrow’s ability to accommodate them remains constrained without expansion.

For 80 years, Heathrow’s teams have refined the service passengers expect. That expertise is now helping shape expansion plans, which the airport describes as a national project that would support 108,000 jobs, boost trading capacity by 50% and make travel more affordable to more destinations.

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “This summer Heathrow remained Europe’s most punctual hub. The longest queue at Heathrow is now the one made up of over 40 airlines that want to better connect the UK but can’t secure a slot because our runways are full.

“Expansion is a national project that will create jobs, unlock growth and make travel more affordable. We are working with Government to deliver these benefits to every nation and region as quickly as possible.”

But the expansion argument still comes with a major environmental caveat.

Heathrow said bringing these benefits to the country will only happen within strict environmental limits. Its trajectory on minimizing carbon, noise and air quality impacts is already evident and will be rigorously scrutinized throughout the planning process.

With Parliament returning and consultation on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement now closed, Heathrow said it looks forward to giving evidence in the coming weeks to show how and why now is the time finally to unblock what it calls a decades-old barrier to UK growth.