Heathrow reports 23 million summer passengers and rising slot demand

London Heathrow said it moved 23 million passengers during June, July and August 2026. August alone accounted for 7.8 million travellers, and 2 August was the busiest day in the airport's history, with almost 272,000 people passing through.

Security queues stayed short through the peak, according to the airport, which said 98% of departing passengers cleared security in under five minutes. It put the same figure — 98% — on checked bags that left as scheduled.

Heathrow described itself as the most punctual hub in Europe for the period, despite disruption elsewhere in the industry.

Xiamen Airlines began serving the airport in September, becoming its latest operator. More than 40 airlines, both current and potential, are seeking slots, and roughly three-quarters of the routes they have proposed are long-haul, according to the airport. Heathrow says its two runways are already running at capacity.

The passenger figures are being used to back the airport's case for a third runway. Heathrow argues expansion would support 108,000 jobs, lift the UK's trading capacity by half and bring more competition, and says the project would stay inside limits on carbon emissions, noise and air quality.

The consultation on the Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement has closed, and the airport is preparing to put its case to Parliament. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye called the list of waiting airlines the airport's longest queue and described expansion as a national project.