00:00Heathrow has suggested fewer passengers travelling through London's largest and
00:04Europe's busiest airport can be attributed to the conflict in the Middle East and the related
00:10regional uncertainty. However, Heathrow Chief Executive Thomas Waldby said it's been a strong
00:17end to the first half of 2026. Despite the challenges presented by the situation in the
00:24Middle East, he said sustained growth in North American and Asia-Pacific coupled with climbing
00:31cargo volumes demonstrates the strength of demand for global connectivity. Passenger numbers remain
00:38below June last year despite the World Cup with an understood 2 million out of that total 7.2 million
00:45passengers passing through the airports heading to North America in June. Figures released in June
00:52show that Heathrow is on the verge of losing its position as Europe's busiest airport to
00:57Istanbul. Just 3,012 more passengers used the West London airport than its Turkish rival in May.
01:06Heathrow continues to run both its runways at near full capacity and is still seeking permission
01:13for a third. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched a consultation on the renamed Heathrow
01:19expansion national policy statement last month setting out the conditions needed if the project is to be
01:26given the go-ahead.
Comments