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
General Atomics LB
FAC and Defence Connect link up

Aerospace

FAC and Defence Connect link up

5 June 2026

Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) and Defence Connect have announced a partnership which brings together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers and innovators in Westminster to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities in defence.

MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

5 June 2026

Oxfordshire based MGI Engineering has entered into a strategic partnership with Vigilar Group, marking MGI’s expansion into Italy and a significant new phase of growth across Europe.

Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 10080 XCT achieves TSA ACSTL Qualified status

Aerospace Security

Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 10080 XCT achieves TSA ACSTL Qualified status

5 June 2026

Smiths Detection's Explosives Detection System (EDS) HI-SCAN 10080 XCT advanced X-ray computed tomography system for hold baggage and air cargo has progressed from the 'Approved' section to the 'Qualified' section of the US Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Air Cargo Screening Technology List (ACSTL).

Aerobility honoured with Kings Award for Voluntary Service during Volunteers’ Week

Aerospace Events

Aerobility honoured with Kings Award for Voluntary Service during Volunteers’ Week

5 June 2026

On 1st June 2026, Aerobility welcomed volunteers, staff, friends and family, together with local MP Alex Brewer, to mark the charity receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 EP achieves efficiency milestone

Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 EP achieves efficiency milestone

4 June 2026

Rolls-Royce has reached a major milestone for its Trent XWB-84 Enhanced Performance (EP) engine, which has delivered almost double the baseline of anticipated fuel savings during its first year in service.

Birmingham Airport awarded Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport awarded Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation

4 June 2026

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has been awarded Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) by Airports Council International (ACI), marking a significant milestone in its journey towards net zero. This achievement follows three consecutive years of maintaining Level 3 status.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner