LHR Airports Ltd.

01/11/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/11/2023 01:20

Heathrow delivers smooth service during busiest Christmas getaway since 2019

11 January, 2023

Heathrow delivers smooth service during busiest Christmas getaway since 2019

  • Christmas and New Year reunions fuelled passenger growth during December, with more than 5.9 million passengers travelling in the month - up 90% compared with the same time last year
  • Transatlantic travel was a key driver behind last month's high passenger volumes, with JFK clinching the top spot as the airport's busiest route
  • Forward planning and close collaboration with airport partners ensured we provided a smooth and efficient service to travellers throughout the festive period. 92% of passengers passed through security in under 10 minutes during the Christmas peak, service for passengers with reduced mobility improved, and arriving travellers reported a friendly and efficient journey through immigration in spite of industrial action
  • In total, Heathrow welcomed 61.6 million passengers (76% of 2019 levels) during 2022 - 42.2 million higher than in 2021. This is the highest passenger increase of any airport in Europe
  • Providing excellent service remains our key priority for 2023, as the aviation industry rebuilds capacity and resilience.
  • We are concerned that the recovery of the aviation sector, which is critical to the economy, could be set back by the reintroduction of testing for travellers in the UK and elsewhere in response to increasing COVID levels in China, even though governments acknowledge there is no scientific basis for doing so

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

"2022 ended on a high with our busiest Christmas in three years and a smooth and efficient service for passengers, thanks to the hard work of our colleagues and close planning with airlines, their ground handlers and Border Force."

Traffic Summary

December 2022

Terminal Passengers
(000s)

Dec 2022

% Change

Jan to
Dec 2022

% Change

Jan 2022 to
Dec 2022

% Change

Market

UK

324

43.3

3,356

89.8

3,356

89.8

EU

1,851

127.1

21,299

193.5

21,299

193.5

Non-EU Europe

428

102.4

4,447

189.4

4,447

189.4

Africa

311

86.0

2,880

176.8

2,880

176.8

North America

1,453

82.1

15,399

361.4

15,399

361.4

Latin America

171

47.7

1,723

317.5

1,723

317.5

Middle East

690

42.8

6,945

201.9

6,945

201.9

Asia / Pacific

713

134.8

5,549

219.1

5,549

219.1

Total

5,943

90.4

61,599

217.6

61,599

217.6

Air Transport Movements

Dec 2022

% Change

Jan to
Dec 2022

% Change

Jan 2022 to
Dec 2022

% Change

Market

UK

2,627

24.0

27,127

57.6

27,127

57.6

EU

14,318

46.2

166,082

128.9

166,082

128.9

Non-EU Europe

3,238

54.0

33,817

134.3

33,817

134.3

Africa

1,355

34.7

13,567

72.0

13,567

72.0

North America

6,522

43.1

74,194

113.4

74,194

113.4

Latin America

745

22.3

7,583

140.2

7,583

140.2

Middle East

2,421

20.9

25,564

50.0

25,564

50.0

Asia / Pacific

3,094

26.6

28,912

25.9

28,912

25.9

Total

34,320

39.3

376,846

98.3

376,846

98.3

Cargo
(Metric Tonnes)

Dec 2022

% Change

Jan to
Dec 2022

% Change

Jan 2022 to
Dec 2022

% Change

Market

UK

4

-60.7

113

-48.6

113

-48.6

EU

7,424

-18.4

100,360

-17.2

100,360

-17.2

Non-EU Europe

3,484

-32.4

39,314

-41.8

39,314

-41.8

Africa

6,435

-25.0

79,865

2.9

79,865

2.9

North America

43,099

-5.5

534,029

10.9

534,029

10.9

Latin America

3,884

24.9

43,309

84.4

43,309

84.4

Middle East

19,054

-2.1

234,051

2.4

234,051

2.4

Asia / Pacific

25,768

-28.7

319,839

-20.5

319,839

-20.5

Total

109,151

-14.2

1,350,879

-3.7

1,350,879

-3.7

Cargo (incl. Mail, Charter & Positioning flights)
(Metric Tonnes)

Dec 2022

% Change

Jan to
Dec 2022

% Change

Jan 2022 to
Dec 2022

% Change

Market

UK

6

-93.1

408

-44.6

408

-44.6

EU

8,039

-17.8

106,595

-16.2

106,595

-16.2

Non-EU Europe

3,688

-34.4

41,957

-42.6

41,957

-42.6

Africa

6,523

-24.9

80,718

3.0

80,718

3.0

North America

46,226

-4.1

556,632

10.6

556,632

10.6

Latin America

3,910

25.0

43,549

83.9

43,549

83.9

Middle East

19,486

-1.9

238,525

1.4

238,525

1.4

Asia / Pacific

26,972

-29.0

331,620

-20.4

331,620

-20.4

Total

114,850

-13.9

1,400,004

-4.0

1,400,004

-4.0