Heathrow Breaks All-Time Passenger Record Despite Major March Fire Disruption

January 13, 2026 at 06:32 AM•3 min read

Heathrow Airport set a new annual record in 2025, handling 84.5 million passengers, a 0.7% rise, despite a major fire disrupting travel in March.

Key Points

184.5 million passengers traveled through Heathrow in 2025, setting a new annual record.
2The record was achieved despite a major operational disruption in March from a National Grid electricity sub-station fire.
3The airport plans a £1.3 billion investment in 2026 for modernization, including Terminal 4 and Terminal 2 upgrades.
4Heathrow claimed the title of Europe's most punctual major hub in December.

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) achieved its busiest year ever in 2025. The west London hub handled almost 84.5 million passengers during the year. This figure surpassed the 84 million mark for the first time. The total traffic was up 0.7% from the 83.9 million recorded in 2024.

The modest increase shows Heathrow is nearing its Heathrow capacity limits. The airport set new passenger traffic records in nine of 12 months. August 1st was the busiest day ever, with over 270,000 travelers.

Operational Resilience and Challenges

These Heathrow record passenger numbers were achieved despite a major incident. The airport faced significant disruption in March 2025. A fire at a National Grid electricity sub-station closed the airport.

This event caused thousands of flight cancellations. More than 200,000 passengers had their travel plans disrupted. An investigation later found the fire was preventable. It was caused by moisture damaging a transformer's insulation.

Aircraft movements also increased slightly in 2025. The total number of flights rose 0.7% to 477,883. Heathrow also claimed the title of Europe's most punctual major hub in December. The airport reported that 97% of passengers waited less than five minutes for security.

Cargo and Future Investment

Cargo operations also saw new records in December. The airport moved 138,000 tonnes of cargo that month. The total weight carried increased by 12,600 tonnes for the year.

Looking ahead, Heathrow is planning a significant UK airport investment. The airport is preparing for another record year in 2026. It plans to invest £1.3 billion to modernize its facilities. This airport modernization plans include a revamp for Terminal 4 (T4). It also involves a new baggage system for Terminal 2 (T2).

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye highlighted the strong demand. He praised the service provided by airport staff. Woldbye noted Heathrow's punctuality compared to other European hubs. He stated the airport hopes to build on this success in 2026. Securing private investment is key for future growth. Woldbye stressed the need for the right regulatory framework from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This is necessary to unlock more connectivity and economic growth.

For the latest in commercial aviation news and industry updates, visit flying.flights. The continued growth at major hubs like Heathrow signals strong global demand for air travel. Organizations like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) monitor this trend. The performance of major aircraft manufacturers, such as Boeing, is tied to this demand. Safety and operational standards, often guided by bodies like EASA, remain paramount as traffic increases.