The London Heathrow Airport mobilized 6.23 million passengers in March, a figure that is 48.4% higher than the same month in 2022, and just 4% lower than March 2019, thus consolidating the recovery process after the pandemic.
In this way, the first quarter of 2023 ended with 16.9 million passengers mobilized, a recovery of 94% compared to the same period in 2019.
On March 31, the administration stated that it was one of the busiest days since 2019, with 221,606 passengers mobilized through Heathrow. They also highlighted that «service levels were excellent despite being the first day of industrial action» by the Unite union.
All regions exceeded March 2019 traffic levels except for Asia/Pacific (80% recovery with 765,000 passengers) and Europe (91%; 2.44 million), as well as the market within the UK (92%; 361,000 passengers).
Heathrow mobilized 312,000 passengers to and from Africa (+2% vs 2019); 1.5 million passengers to and from North America (+2%); 184,000 to and from Latin America (+61%), and 643,000 to and from the Middle East (+7%).
Regarding aircraft movements, during March, Heathrow recorded 36,669 takeoffs and landings, 31% more than during the same month in 2022 (and a 92% recovery vs 2019).
Cargo contracted by 9.1% in March, with 120,850 tons mobilized. This represents an 80% recovery from 2019 levels, still slowed down by Asia/Pacific, which has only recovered by 62%.
«“I am very proud of the way that colleagues have pulled together to ensure passengers got away smoothly on their Easter holidays,» said John Holland-Kaye, CEO of Heathrow Airport.
«Our security team has done a brilliant job, supported by our entire management team who have been ‘here to help’ in the terminals. Many passengers have told me that we exceeded their expectations,» he added.
Regarding the union conflict, the airport stated that they have proposed the changes requested by the workers, so «Unite should let their members have a say on».
