Heathrow Sees Passenger Increase During Half-Term Holiday

Heathrow Records Passenger and Cargo Growth in February

Heathrow recorded 5.8 million passengers in February 2026, an increase of about 110,000 travellers compared with the same period last year. The 1.9 per cent rise was driven by half-term holiday travel and demand linked to the Chinese New Year, with airlines operating larger aircraft and achieving higher load factors.

Despite the increase in passenger traffic, Heathrow operates close to capacity. Recent data from Airports Council International (ACI) show that passenger growth at the airport is currently below the European average of 4.6 per cent. Throughout the month, operational performance remained steady, with high punctuality levels across various airlines. Security processing was efficient, with 98 percent of passengers passing through in under five minutes.

Cargo activity grew, with nearly 130,000 tonnes managed in February, marking a 4 percent increase compared to the previous year. This happened despite a drop in cargo-only flights, as airlines utilised belly-hold space on passenger aircraft to move freight. Heathrow remains vital in supporting the UK’s international trade through air cargo.

The airport is also engaged in discussions about expansion, emphasising the need for additional capacity to meet future demand, improve connectivity, and broaden route options for travellers. Furthermore, Heathrow is monitoring developments in the Middle East and working with airline partners to handle extra flight requests as needed. The airport is also supporting passengers whose travel plans might be affected by the ongoing regional situation.

Commenting on the results, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said the airport maintained operational stability during February while passenger numbers increased. He added that Heathrow is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and remains in contact with airlines to support travellers and minimise disruption.

Traffic Overview

Heathrow welcomed 5.82 million passengers in February 2026, a 1.9% rise compared to February 2025. From January to February, passenger numbers totalled 12.28 million, an increase of 2.1% year-on-year, while the 12-month rolling total reached 84.7 million, up 0.7%. The European Union remained the largest market with 1.83 million passengers, followed by North America with 1.17 million and Asia-Pacific with 906,000 travellers.

Notably, the Asia-Pacific region experienced the strongest growth this month, increasing by 5.5% year-on-year. Air movements declined by 1.3%, totaling 35,347 flights, although some regions, such as the Middle East (up 6.5%) and Asia-Pacific (up 5.7%), saw increases. Cargo volumes grew by 3.6%, reaching 128,710 metric tonnes, driven by freight on passenger aircraft, particularly routes linking Heathrow to Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.