With a record-breaking 83.9 million passengers at the end of 2024, London Heathrow Airport (LHR) announced its busiest December ever.
Record-breaking year-end
The airport declared on January 13 that December was the busiest December ever, with over 7 million people passing through the airport. Consequently, 83.9 million passengers passed through London Heathrow in 2024, a 3 million increase over 2019.
The airport also noted that it saw 160,000 passengers on Christmas Day, December 25, which is usually one of the slowest travel days, an increase of 13% year over year (YoY).
2024 is going to be a really exciting year for Heathrow Airport, according to Thomas Woldbye, the CEO. After serving as the CEO of Copenhagen Airport (CPH) for over 12 years, Woldbye joined the airport as its CEO in October 2023.
“In 2025, our journey towards better value for our customers will continue by investing in the kind of facilities our passengers and airlines are looking for. We aim to become more innovative to ensure that our airport delivers for the whole of the UK.”
Most popular destinations
London Heathrow said that New York, Los Angeles, Dublin, and Madrid were some of the most popular destinations in 2024, “as the airport maintained its status as the most connected airport in the world.”
Dublin Airport (DUB) and Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD) are home to Aer Lingus and Iberia, both of which are members of the International Airlines Group (IAG), which also includes Heathrow-based British Airways.
Meanwhile, OAG, a travel data business, revealed in December that the route between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Heathrow would be the tenth busiest in 2024. Throughout the year, airlines booked nearly 4 million seats for passengers flying from New York to London.
According to Cirium’s Diio Mi airline planning system, there were 1.1 million seats between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and London-Heathrow, for a total of more than 5.1 million seats between the two airports. This excludes London Gatwick Airport (LGW), which also operates a few transatlantic flights.
In comparison, the busiest international route in 2024 had 6.7 million seats, linking Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE).
Even more passengers in 2025
Out of the eight markets whose statistics Heathrow Airport disclosed, only Africa had a worse 2024 than 2023. The remaining markets, notably UK domestic, expanded YoY, with the airport’s overall passenger growth rate of 5.9%.
In 2024, 20.6 million passengers boarded planes from/to North America, up 3.3% from 2023. The figure rose despite the fact that air transport movements in that market fell by 0.2%.
However, the European Union (EU) remained Heathrow Airport’s top market in 2024, with 28.1 million passengers departing and arriving. Non-EU Europe experienced an additional 5.6 million travelers, up 7.4% and 6.1% year on year.
Looking ahead, Heathrow expects to welcome 84.2 million travelers in 2025, with “grey Mondays encouraging holiday bookings,” according to the airport.
FAQ
Why was December the busiest month ever recorded at London Heathrow Airport?
December 2024 saw a record number of passengers at London Heathrow Airport due to a combination of holiday travel, the end of the year festivities, and pent-up demand for air travel after a period of global disruptions. Heathrow’s efficient handling of passengers and its capacity to manage increased traffic contributed to this record month.
How many passengers passed through Heathrow Airport in December 2024?
Heathrow Airport recorded more than 7 million passengers in December 2024, making it the busiest month in the airport’s history. The holiday season and high demand for both international and domestic flights contributed to the surge in passenger numbers.
What measures did Heathrow Airport take to manage the high passenger traffic in December 2024?
Heathrow Airport increased staffing, enhanced security measures, and streamlined passenger processes to ensure smooth operations. Additional facilities, such as temporary check-in counters and increased transport services, were introduced to manage the heavy traffic effectively.
Did the increase in passenger traffic cause any delays at Heathrow Airport in December 2024?
Although the high passenger traffic posed challenges, Heathrow Airport managed to minimize delays. However, some short delays occurred due to congestion in security checks and long queues at certain peak times. Passengers were advised to arrive early to avoid any inconveniences.
What impact did December’s record passenger traffic have on flights at Heathrow Airport?
The record-breaking traffic in December 2024 led to some operational challenges, but overall, Heathrow Airport maintained smooth flight schedules with only minor delays. Airlines worked closely with airport staff to ensure that flights operated on time and passengers reached their destinations promptly.
