Tag Archives: Heathrow Airport

The UK Government moves ahead with its expansion plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport

The UK Government has confirmed that it will proceed with the 2019 expansion plans for London’s Heathrow Airport, selecting the option that calls for the construction of a third runway to the northwest of the existing airfield. This decision carries major implications, as it will require the demolition of the towns of Harmondsworth and Longford and a reconfiguration of the M25 motorway to accommodate the new 3,500‑metre runway. The choice signals a commitment to the original, more extensive plan despite its higher cost and disruptive impact.

The government’s selection comes after weighing an alternative proposal known as “Heathrow West,” put forward earlier in 2025 by the Arora Group in partnership with Bechtel and Scott Brownrigg. That scheme envisioned a shorter 2,800‑metre runway, which would have avoided bridging over the M25 and carried a significantly lower price tag—under £25 billion compared to the current £49 billion budget. Despite these advantages, the government opted for the longer runway, citing capacity and long‑term strategic needs.

The timing of the announcement is notable, arriving just one day before Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveils her budget. Back in January 2025, Reeves had endorsed the idea of a third runway, emphasizing its potential to generate up to 100,000 jobs and strengthen the UK economy by expanding one of the world’s busiest airports. The government’s latest move underscores its determination to deliver on that promise, even in the face of cost concerns and local opposition.

Plans for a third runway at Heathrow have been debated for more than six decades, almost since the airport’s transformation into a major commercial hub. Successive governments have voiced support, only to see proposals stall amid fierce resistance during consultation and planning stages. The issue has become one of the longest‑running infrastructure debates in modern British history.

For residents of Harmondsworth and Longford, the decision brings both clarity and upheaval. Many have lived under the shadow of possible demolition for decades, unable to sell their homes due to uncertainty. While some welcome the chance to finally have their properties compulsorily purchased and move on, others face the loss of long‑standing communities. The government’s choice of the 2019 plan thus represents not only a major infrastructure milestone but also a deeply personal turning point for those directly affected.

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Riyadh Air commences operations

Today, October 26, 2025, marked a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier: Riyadh Air completed its inaugural passenger service to London Heathrow on October 26, 2025.

The flight, designated RX401, departed Riyadh King Khalid International Airport at 3:26 a.m. local time and landed at London Heathrow six hours and 48 minutes later. The aircraft used was a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner (HZ-RXX), nicknamed Jamila (“beautiful” in Arabic). This jet has been serving as Riyadh Air’s technical spare and training aircraft since early 2025, leased from Oman Air while the airline awaits delivery of its own new fleet.

Photo: Riyadh Air

For this inaugural service, the passenger list was limited to Riyadh Air employees, staff from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) — the Saudi sovereign wealth fund backing the airline — and invited partners and guests. The airline has stated that this “insiders‑only” approach will continue for the next few flights as it fine‑tunes operations before opening to the general public.

The London route is the first step in Riyadh Air’s ambitious plan to connect Riyadh to more than 100 destinations by 2030, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. Daily service to Heathrow will be followed by the launch of flights to Dubai (DXB) in the coming weeks.

This inaugural flight also comes after Riyadh Air secured its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in April 2025, and it represents the airline’s official entry into the global market. The carrier has major fleet orders in place — including 72 Boeing 787s, 60 Airbus A321neos, and up to 50 Airbus A350s — with the first brand‑new aircraft expected to arrive before the end of 2025.

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London’s Heathrow Airport only served 19.4 million passengers in 2021

Heathrow Airport issued this statement on social media:

In December, at least 600,000 passengers cancelled travel plans from Heathrow Airport due to Omicron and travel restrictions. Heathrow Airport only welcomed 19.4 million passengers in 2021 – less than one quarter of 2019 and below even 2020 levels.

The full press release:

Aviation is in for long-haul recovery as Omicron causes at least 600,000 passengers to cancel travel plans in December from Heathrow

Heathrow Airport

 

  • COVID-19 continues to pose significant challenges for the travel industry, with Heathrow welcoming only 19.4 million passengers in 2021 – less than one quarter of 2019 and below even 2020 levels
  • At least 600,000 passengers cancelled travel plans from Heathrow in December due to Omicron and the uncertainty caused by swiftly imposed government travel restrictions
  • There is significant doubt over the speed at which demand will recover. IATA forecasts suggest passenger numbers will not reach pre-pandemic levels until 2025, provided travel restrictions are removed at both ends of a route and passengers have confidence they will not return rapidly
  • We are urging the UK government to remove all testing now for fully vaccinated passengers and to adopt a playbook for any future Variants of Concern that is more predictable, limits additional measures only to passengers from high-risk destinations and allows quarantine at home instead of in a hotel
  • This creates enormous uncertainty for the CAA in setting a new five-year regulatory settlement. We believe that the focus should be on improving passenger service, aligning incentives for airlines and airports to work together to rebuild passenger demand and maintaining affordable private financing in uncertain times. This is a chance to safeguard a world-leading hub airport for Britain and avoid a return to the “Heathrow hassle” days of the early 2000s, undermining the UK’s global trading ambitions

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said:

“There are currently travel restrictions, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes – the aviation industry will only fully recover when these are all lifted and there is no risk that they will be reimposed at short notice, a situation which is likely to be years away. While this creates enormous uncertainty for the CAA in setting a new 5 year regulatory settlement, it means the regulator must focus on an outcome that improves service, incentivizes growth and maintains affordable private financing.”

 

Traffic Summary
December 2021
Terminal Passengers
(000s)		  Dec 2021 % Change Jan to
Dec 2021		 % Change Jan 2021 to
Dec 2021		 % Change
Market            
UK              226 173.6           1,768 21.1           1,768 21.1
EU              815 134.0           7,258 -9.9           7,258 -9.9
Non-EU Europe              212 161.9           1,537 -13.8           1,537 -13.8
Africa              167 55.2           1,040 -9.4           1,040 -9.4
North America              798 540.4           3,338 -13.6           3,338 -13.6
Latin America              116 172.1              413 -4.3              413 -4.3
Middle East              483 114.6           2,301 -6.6           2,301 -6.6
Asia / Pacific              304 131.3           1,739 -40.3           1,739 -40.3
Total           3,122 173.0          19,393 -12.3          19,393 -12.3
Air Transport Movements  Dec 2021 % Change Jan to
Dec 2021		 % Change Jan 2021 to
Dec 2021		 % Change
Market            
UK           2,118 113.3          17,214 13.5          17,214 13.5
EU           9,792 173.1          72,559 -11.9          72,559 -11.9
Non-EU Europe           2,102 165.7          14,433 -14.7          14,433 -14.7
Africa           1,006 32.7           7,886 5.7           7,886 5.7
North America           4,559 99.6          34,773 0.2          34,773 0.2
Latin America              609 90.3           3,157 6.6           3,157 6.6
Middle East           2,003 33.4          17,044 2.5          17,044 2.5
Asia / Pacific           2,443 14.2          22,966 -6.9          22,966 -6.9
Total          24,632 99.1        190,032 -5.4        190,032 -5.4
Cargo
(Metric Tonnes)		  Dec 2021 % Change Jan to
Dec 2021		 % Change Jan 2021 to
Dec 2021		 % Change
Market            
UK                10 109.5              220 -9.7              220 -9.7
EU           9,093 7.1        121,195 59.3        121,195 59.3
Non-EU Europe           5,151 -12.3          67,602 46.8          67,602 46.8
Africa           8,581 0.1          77,595 12.2          77,595 12.2
North America          45,616 44.3        481,733 24.6        481,733 24.6
Latin America           3,109 -5.9          23,490 -30.4          23,490 -30.4
Middle East          19,471 5.4        228,617 8.0        228,617 8.0
Asia / Pacific          36,157 11.1        402,461 25.7        402,461 25.7
Total        127,188 16.8     1,402,913 22.6     1,402,913 22.6

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Heathrow Airport

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow Airport launch trials for fully vaccinated customers

British Airways made this announcement:

VeriFLY and BA

  • Later this week customers traveling on selected flights from the US, Caribbean and Europe to London Heathrow will be invited to take part in a proving trial to support the Government in lifting some of the most onerous restrictions for travelers arriving from ‘amber list’ countries
  • Fully vaccinated travelers of all nationalities will be able to present their Covid-19 credentials in digital or paper format to help prove vaccination status can be quickly and easily checked away from the border and allow safe entry to the UK
  • Anonymized data will be shared with the UK Government at the earliest opportunity, providing real-world insights to support the introduction of a scheme to exempt fully vaccinated passengers from self-isolation
  • Participants will continue to adhere to current restrictions for travelers entering from ‘amber list’ countries during the trial period
  • The proof-of-concept aims to support the Government to introduce exemptions for fully vaccinated travelers no later than 19 July, allowing the UK to catch-up with the EU and US, which have already introduced similar schemes
  • Routes including Los Angeles-LAX and New York-JFK have been chosen given Transatlantic air links between the US and UK are vital to re-start business, reunite families and allow people to go on holiday

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Heathrow Airport have joined forces to prove it’s possible to quickly and easily verify those arriving into the UK who are fully vaccinated – an identification process already in place for outbound travel to several countries. Earlier this week, Germany became the latest country to confirm it would accept fully vaccinated UK travelers without the need to quarantine. The new UK proving trial, enabling inbound travelers to present their fully vaccinated status, will support the Government to move forward with its plans to remove quarantine for double jabbed passengers entering the UK from ‘amber list’ countries.

The initiative will see fully vaccinated volunteers traveling on selected flights from Athens, Los Angeles, Montego Bay and New York to London Heathrow showing proof of their vaccine status. The trial aims to reassure Government that airlines and airports can check vaccine status upstream and away from the Border, ensuring no further pressure in UK immigration halls. Those taking part in the trial will be able to use a dedicated arrivals lane at the border and British Airways customers will be able to access a discounted rate for the mandatory arrivals tests.

Internationally recognized vaccination credentials will be accepted in the proving trial including the NHS app, CDC card, US state-level digital certification and EU Digital Covid Credential. British Airways will also support customers’ vaccine verification through the VeriFLY app and Virgin Atlantic customers can verify their vaccine certificate through a new digital uploader tool, developed in partnership with Delta Air Lines and backed by TrustAssure™ technology. As the proof-of-concept develops, the options for customers to show vaccine status will rapidly be expanded, across physical, digital and integrated formats, including IATA Travel Pass.

The UK has led the world with its successful vaccine program, which the Government promised would lead to the end of Covid restrictions. To date, 86% of UK adults have had a first dose of a Covid vaccine, with 64% fully vaccinated. Data from Public Health England has shown two doses of the vaccines offer 79% protection against becoming ill from the Delta variant and reduces the likelihood of needing hospitalization by 96%.

Despite this incredible achievement the UK is failing to reap the economic and social rewards, falling behind countries like France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta, all of which accept fully vaccinated travelers, including US residents, without the need for quarantine. The US also allows its fully vaccinated residents to avoid self-isolation. The Government’s own transparency data also continues to show very low positivity in test results from ‘green’ and ‘amber’ country arrivals, with just 0.4% testing positive, and none of them had a variant of concern.

Representatives from the travel industry have been clear about the consequences for the UK’s economy and jobs of not opening the corridor quickly enough, with hundreds taking part in a day of action on June 23. Today, Heathrow released new research from CEBR, reinforcing the importance of aviation to the Government’s ambitions for Global Britain, which could help industry deliver a £204 billion trade boost to benefit every corner of the UK. Heathrow has warned that this cannot be realized unless the UK’s aviation industry is supported by Government policies to resume flying as soon as possible. By capitalizing on the country’s vaccine dividend, ministers can help to deliver this economic stimulus for exporters across Britain, ensuring the UK retains its competitive edge as the country comes out of lockdown.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson restated that this important step to exempt fully vaccinated travelers from self-isolation would happen ‘later this summer’, with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps set to provide more detail this week. It’s hoped the proof-of-concept will encourage the Government to introduce exemptions for fully vaccinated travelers no later than 19 July, allowing the UK to catch-up with the EU and US, which have already introduced similar schemes.

 

Virgin Atlantic to operate the Boeing 787-9 from London to Dubai

Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) will start using the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the daily London (Heathrow) – Dubai route commencing on July 21, 2016 according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: AirlinersGallery.com. Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 G-VAHH (msn 37967) named “Dream Girl” taxies at London’s Heathrow Airport.

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SAS sells another slot pair at London Heathrow Airport

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS (Stockholm) has sold another slot pair at London’s slot-controlled Heathrow Airport. The airline issued this statement:

SAS has entered into a slot transaction with Turkish Airlines that will take over one afternoon slot-pair at London Heathrow from SAS at the beginning of the winter traffic program on October 25, 2015.

The transaction will generate a positive earnings impact of $22 million for SAS to be accounted for during the second quarter with a corresponding cash effect during calendar year 2015.

As part of creating balance between frequencies and capacity during the day and following the disposition of a morning slot-pair earlier in February 2015, SAS has entered into a second slot-pair transaction. Following this transaction, SAS will have 19 daily slot-pairs at London Heathrow and will still be the fifth largest airline operating at London Heathrow, measured in number of weekly departures. After this transaction, SAS does not have any plans to reduce its portfolio of slots.

SAS currently operates from London Heathrow to Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Oslo, Stockholm and Stavanger. SAS will continue to offer a strong and comprehensive network between Scandinavia and London Heathrow with the intention to keep the seat capacity to/from London Heathrow unchanged through the use of larger aircraft on remaining departures. As noted earlier in February 2015, SAS will consider the use of other airports in the London-region.

Following this transaction, Turkish Airlines will have 38 weekly slot-pairs at London Heathrow Airport.

Copyright Photo: SAS has pledged to use larger aircraft into London Heathrow. Scandinavian Airlines-SAS Airbus A321-232 LN-RKI (msn 1817), which formerly had the image of H.C. Andersen, taxies across the ramp at LHR.

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Will Aer Lingus now accept IAG’s new raised cash bid to acquire the Irish carrier?

Aer Lingus (Dublin) is now expected to recommend a takeover by the International Airlines Group-IAG (London) (British Airways, Iberia and Vueling Airlines) according to a report today by The Irish Times. This change of heart comes after the IAG raised its bid for the flag carrier to a €2.50 ($2.80) a share cash bid. The offer could face opposition from the Irish government. If accepted and approved, Aer Lingus would join the Oneworld alliance.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Aer Lingus controls valuable slots at London’s Heathrow Airport. Airbus A320-214 EI-DEF (msn 2256) completes its final approach to Heathrow.

Aer Lingus aircraft slide show:

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Delta opens its exclusive Delta Arrival Lounge at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3

Delta Air Lines Reception

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has issued this statement about their new Delta Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow:

Delta Air Lines has opened its exclusive Delta Arrivals Lounge, at the arrivals hall of London Heathrow Terminal 3. All of Delta’s BusinessElite passengers and SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallion members arriving from the United States have complimentary access into the new facility.

The Arrivals Lounge offers a number of amenities tailored to suit customers arriving in London from overnight flights. Customers are invited to freshen up in one of eleven private showers featuring amenities by New York’s Malin+Goetz and take advantage of on-site butler services including clothes press and shoe shine.

Meanwhile, multiple breakfast offerings are available including Starbucks Coffee, lighter fare such as fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt and cereals and prepared to order a la carte items. Wi-Fi is available throughout the Arrivals Lounge, plus a business center and a selection of the day’s newspapers. Staff are also on hand to assist with any future Delta travel plans.

BusinessElite customers also have private car access to the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Wing on departure at Terminal 3, which enables them to go from car to Clubhouse in less than 10 minutes. The pre-booked service allows passengers to use the Private Security Channel, beating the queues and leaving more time prior to boarding.

Last month, Delta announced it will begin flying nonstop between Philadelphia and Heathrow in April 2015, alongside its new flights from Seattle/Tacoma and Los Angeles to London Heathrow.

The Delta Arrivals Lounge will be open daily from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Photos: Delta Air Lines.

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Delta Air Lines Main Lounge

British Airways to resume Boeing 747-400 service on the London Heathrow-Denver route

British Airways (London) will resume Boeing 747-400 service on the London (Heathrow)-Denver route on March 29, 2015, replacing a Boeing 777-200 ER according to Airline Route. BA last operated the Jumbo on the route in 2003.

British Airways issued this statement:

British Airways announced that customers in Denver will soon be able to enjoy British Airways’ new First class cabin. From March 2015 the Denver to London service will be operated by a four class Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

British Airways began flying to Denver 16 years ago and the airline now offers a daily service to London Heathrow. The Boeing 747 aircraft will provide customers with a choice of World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business class) and the airline’s flagship brand, First.

Premium First Experience

The First class cabin has 14 suites that are based on classic design and discrete luxury. Features include:

Individual seats that turn into a 6 ft. 6 in. fully flat beds with a simple twist of a button
Signature turn down service includes a luxurious quilted mattress, crisp white cotton duvet and pillow, along with pajamas and luxury amenity kit.
A personal closet and leather-bound writing desk that converts into a dining table
A la carte dining and a buddy seat to enable customers to dine together
A 15” in-flight entertainment screen with extensive TV, movie and audio selections
Lighting and electronic blinds that can be modified to reflect mood and time of day
All British Airways long haul flights include benefits such as free meals and all beverages, as well as free baggage allowance and seat allocation. The airline also provides a “Feed Kids First” service ensures that children are served first, allowing parents to enjoy their own meal.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-436 G-BNLS (msn 24629) departs from London’s Heathrow Airport.

British Airways Slide Show: AG Slide Show

 

Ethiopian Airlines and ANA agree to codeshare

Ethiopian Airlines (Addis Ababa) and ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) have signed a codeshare agreement.

From October 26, 2014, the travelling public will enjoy seamless bookings on ANA and Ethiopian Airlines network from Japan to 49 destinations in Africa through joint connecting airports of both carriers in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Paris (CDG), London (Heathrow) on all code shared flights. .

ANA and Ethiopian Airlines started joint Frequent Flyer Program in December 2011 as both carriers are members of Star Alliance.

Top Copyright Photo: Ethiopian’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner ET-AOR (msn 34746) is seen up-close at London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the connecting points for the two carriers.

Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft Slide Show: AG Slide Show

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