Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Heathrow passenger numbers fell 82% in March

Aerospace

Heathrow passenger numbers fell 82% in March

Heathrow has announced that passenger numbers at the airport fell by 82.6% (year-on-year) in March.

Image courtesy Heathrow

Heathrow’s cargo volumes are also down, by 25.7% on an annual basis. However, cargo
movements have increased by 21.4% compared with March 2020.

Traffic Summary

             
               
 

March 2021

         
               
 

Terminal Passengers
(000s)

 Mar
2021

%
Change

 Jan
  to
  Mar 2021

%
Change

 Apr 2020
  to
  Mar 2021

%
Change

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK

 58

-72.1

 166

-81.9

 712

-84.9

 

EU

 140

-84.0

 45

-90.3

  3,915

-85.0

 

Non-EU Europe

  48

-78.1

 126

-88.3

  830

-84.8

 

Africa

  60

-68.2

  191

-75.7

 553

-83.8

 

North America

  52

-92.7

  181

-94.4

 826

-95.5

 

Latin America

  5

-93.9

   21

-93.2

 146

-89.1

 

Middle East

 66

-81.4

   255

-84.2

 1,100

-85.5

 

Asia / Pacific

 113

-75.9

   295

-86.3

 1,059

-90.2

 

Total

 542

-82.6

  1,680

-88.5

 9,142

-88.2

               
               
 

Air Transport Movements

 Mar
2021

%
Change

Jan to
Mar 2021

%
Change

Apr 2020 to
Mar 2021

%
Change

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK

731

-67.3

 2,120

-76.0

8,465

-79.4

 

EU

2,037

-81.0

 6,135

-85.3

46,831

-76.8

 

Non-EU Europe

515

-78.8

 1,577

-83.5

8,956

-78.7

 

Africa

599

-37.0

 1,747

-50.2

5,697

-61.5

 

North America

2,342

-50.1

6,306

-63.9

23,524

-71.2

 

Latin America

96

-78.2

 320

-77.1

1,883

-68.0

 

Middle East

1,131

-38.0

 3,412

-50.8

13,113

-56.4

 

Asia / Pacific

1,964

-22.0

 5,165

-46.5

 20,073

-55.5

 

Total

 9,415

-63.4

 26,782

-72.9

 128,542

-72.2

               
               
 

Cargo
(Metric Tonnes)

 Mar
2021

%
Change

Jan to
Mar 2021

%
Change

Apr 2020 to
Mar 2021

%
Change

 

Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK

 10

  -79.7

 57

  -60.0

 158

-72.7

 

EU

 11,303

  88.4

 29,132

  54.8

 86,402

-4.2

 

Non-EU Europe

 5,663

  144.6

 16,906

  96.1

 54,341

6.0

 

Africa

 8,064

  31.7

 22,619

  12.2

 71,645

-20.0

 

North America

 42,788

  11.0

 103,782

  -19.5

 361,556

-33.0

 

Latin America

 1,359

  -64.2

 3,230

  -71.2

 25,784

-50.2

 

Middle East

 18,432

  4.1

52,830

  -8.5

 206,728

-19.3

 

Asia / Pacific

 34,854

  32.4

87,390

  0.4

 318,375

-26.9

 

Total

 122,474

  21.4

 315,945

  -5.0

1,124,989

-25.7

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
Airbus

Aerospace

Airbus' A350-1000ULR completes first test flight

2 June 2026

The world's longest-range aircraft, the A350-1000ULR (MSN 707) and the first of 12 aircraft ordered by Qantas, has completed its first flight in Toulouse, France.

Drones help restore Peak District ravine woodlands

Aerospace

Drones help restore Peak District ravine woodlands

2 June 2026

A pioneering drone seed-spreading trial has taken to the skies above the Peak District, as the 'LIFE in the Ravines' project led by Natural England explores innovative new ways to restore precious ravine woodlands devastated by ash dieback disease.

SAM NI completes £10m facility expansion

Aerospace

SAM NI completes £10m facility expansion

2 June 2026

Portadown based precision engineering firm SAM NI has completed a £10 million expansion of its manufacturing facility marking a major milestone in the company’s growth as a manufacturer of high-precision aerospace components and assemblies.

Omnisense and 42T partner on resilient drone landing system

Aerospace Defence Security

Omnisense and 42T partner on resilient drone landing system

1 June 2026

Omnisense, which specialises in terrestrial positioning technology, has partnered with 42 Technology (42T) to demonstrate a safer autonomous drone landing system when satellite navigation signals are unreliable.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Thompson showcases VantageXL for Discover Airlines at Red Cabin Summit

Aerospace Events

Thompson showcases VantageXL for Discover Airlines at Red Cabin Summit

1 June 2026

Craigavon based Thompson Aero Seating (TAS) will today be showcasing its customised VantageXL seat for Discover Airlines’ A330s for the very first time at the Red Cabin / Aircraft Cabin Innovation Summit Europe, being held 1st-3rd June at Lufthansa Seeheim, Germany.

ZeroAvia begins leadership transition

Aerospace

ZeroAvia begins leadership transition

29 May 2026

ZeroAvia today announced that founder and Chief Executive Officer Val Miftakhov has stepped down as CEO, effective 26th May 2026, to pursue new opportunities.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner