Heathrow getting ready for the biggest Christmas season in three years

Heathrow getting ready for the biggest Christmas season in three years

In October 2022, Heathrow Airport handled 5.9 million travellers, that’s 84% of the levels in 2019. From 2022 to date, 50 million commuters have used the airport which makes up 74% of the levels in 2019. The half-term getaway has led to buoyancy in the leisure market, making it the airport’s busiest day after July 2022. Moreover, business passengers have also started coming back to Heathrow gradually. Middle East and Central Asia observed great recovery in October 2022 and are looking forward to continuing the same into November 2022.

The rise in the number of travellers this year is more than other European airports. Companies in Heathrow have been brilliant at hiring and training nearly 16,000 colleagues during the past year, maintaining a balance of demand and capacity. At the present employment rates, the airport is likely to achieve the pre-pandemic levels of staffing before 2023’s summer holiday peak.

 

There’s been a gradual improvement in the levels of passenger service that earned Heathrow the honour of “Best Airport in Europe” by Business Traveller. In the upcoming years, the airport plans to invest more than £4 billion to further improve the journey through Heathrow. Plans include adding new security lanes which will allow passengers to leave laptops and liquids in their bags. In addition, a new baggage system for Terminal 2 will be added, subject to a regulatory settlement that supports investment.

The airport as well as airlines and their ground handlers have been working closely to get ready for the Christmas peak. They intend to come up with a plan that doesn’t restrict them with a capacity cap. Besides, Heathrow is also familiar with several organizations planning a potential strike action such as the national Border Force strike. To minimize the impact, airport authorities are supporting organizations on emergency plans while encouraging all parties to prioritize passengers’ interests.

Heathrow gladly welcomes new airlines such as India’s Vistara and Loganair. These will strengthen the role of Heathrow helping Britain connect to the world’s growing markets. The airport is putting forward changes to the landing prices for 2023, encouraging more connections to the nations and regions of the UK.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, stated: “We have reached so far since Omicron grounded Christmas travel plans last year (2021). Heathrow, our airline partners and their handlers are all getting together to make sure everyone can be reunited with their loved ones this Christmas.”