London Heathrow Airport has unveiled a huge multi-billion-pound plan to add up to 10 million more passengers

Heathrow Airport is going to get bigger and bigger. As well as the potential (and controversial) third runway, now the airport has announced it plans to increase passenger numbers by up to 10 million by 2031. 

Heathrow has unveiled its £10 billion investment plan that will allow it to grow its passenger numbers by 12 percent, up from a record-breaking 83.9 million passengers in 2024, over the next six years. In the proposals, the airport wants to create new space within existing terminals equivalent to 10 football pitches for new restaurants, shops and lounges to be built. The airport said it would also allow for faster security and baggage handling. 

But to do all this, London’s flight hub needs money. The raise funds, the big bosses said they need to raise the average passenger charge from £28.46 to £33.26 between 2027 and 2031. This is the fee that airlines pay the airport for each passenger travelling through, and it is included in the price of the flight. Essentially, to pay for all this, flight prices at Heathrow will go up. 

Heathrow chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: ‘We’re making good progress on our strategy to become an extraordinary airport – having become Europe’s most punctual major airport so far this year. But our customers want us to improve our international rankings further, as do we.

‘To compete with global hubs, we must invest. Our five-year plan boosts operational resilience, delivers the better service passengers expect and unlocks the growth capacity airlines want with stretching efficiency targets and a like-for-like lower airport charge than a decade ago.

‘With Heathrow’s UK-based supply chain, this private investment will create jobs and drive national growth during this Parliament. We are ready to deliver the more efficient, sustainable Heathrow that will keep Britain connected to the world.’

A direct London to Berlin train service just got a step closer to happening. 

Stansted Airport has submitted plans to boost passenger numbers to 51 million.