Heathrow passenger numbers edge lower in June

(Sharecast News) - London's Heathrow Airport reported a slight decline in passenger numbers in June as disruption in the Middle East weighed on travel flows. Heathrow said traffic fell 1.8% year‑on‑year to 7.2m passengers in June, due to the "continued suppression" of Middle Eastern traffic, while first half passenger numbers were broadly flat, edging up just 0.2% to 40m.

North America saw a 1.2% rise in June as 1.97m passengers travelled through Heathrow to North America, helped by World Cup‑related demand, while Asia‑Pacific was Heathrow's fastest‑growing major market, with passenger traffic up 2.5% and cargo volumes jumping 12% in the month.

Heathrow also said it was "effectively full", constraining opportunities to add new routes and frequencies to growing markets.

Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: "It's been a strong end to the first half of 2026, despite the challenges presented by the situation in the Middle East. Sustained growth in North American and Asia-Pacific coupled with climbing cargo volumes demonstrates the strength of demand for global connectivity.

"As the Government looks for projects that can drive economic growth across the whole of the country, attract investment and create new jobs for young people, Heathrow's privately funded expansion presents an open goal. A third runway will unlock new opportunities for businesses, exporters and communities in every region and nation of the country. It's time to get this vital project off the bench and onto the pitch."













Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com