Heathrow reveals record results for first six months of 2025
Image courtesy Heathrow
Larger aircraft and strong demand for Asia-Pacific and Middle East destinations were the primary growth drivers.
Transatlantic travel remains healthy and these links contributed to a 2.4% growth in trade through Heathrow. With a busy summer holiday getting underway and continued strong leisure demand, Heathrow remains on-track to meet its forecast of over 84 million passengers this year.
Heathrow has been recognised as the most punctual hub in Europe, underscoring its improving service, with more flights departing on-time from Heathrow this year versus any other major hub in Europe. This strong performance is coupled with 98% of passengers waiting less than five minutes at security and circa 99% of bags travelling with their passengers.
These achievements were most recently recognised earlier this year by Travel Weekly readers who awarded Heathrow Best UK Airport.
Robust H1 EBITDA
In the first six months of 2025, revenue grew 1.9% to £1,724 million (2024: £1,692 million). The higher revenue was driven by more long-haul flying and more passengers enjoying Heathrow’s world-class retail and food and beverage options.
Adjusted operating costs increased by 3.2% to £765 million (2024: £741 million) due to higher maintenance costs to support operational performance, increased National Insurance contributions and higher electricity prices. Adjusted EBITDA increased 0.8% to £959 million (2024: £951 million). No dividend payments were made to Heathrow shareholders in Q2 2025.
Heathrow's next five-year investment plan (2027-2031) aims to deliver on customer requirements, as the next step in its strategy for the future. Built around customer feedback and insight, the plan aims to improve passenger experience, boost operational resilience and enable airline growth. It is designed to be delivered affordably with the airport charge remaining competitive with global hubs and below what it was a decade ago. The CAA is currently reviewing the plan.
Heathrow will submit its proposal to Ministers by Thursday 31st July on how it can secure long-term capacity growth at the airport, with its plans being entirely privately financed. Depending on the Government’s response, Heathrow aims to meet its ambition to secure planning permission in this Parliament and for the runway to be operational by 2035.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “We are delivering on our vision to become an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. We are welcoming record passenger numbers and improving the services that matter most. Our new five-year investment plan will mean faster, more reliable journeys, more on-time flights and unlock room to grow – all while delivering better value for customers. We will soon submit our long-term expansion plans to the Government, providing the UK with the opportunity to stay competitive, boost jobs and drive nationwide growth. Heathrow has an exciting future ahead and we are ready to get going.”
