Heathrow sees passenger numbers fall despite record day for May

Heathrow reported a mixed May, with 7.1 million passengers passing through its four terminals, down 1.2% year-on-year as the Iran war continues to affect international travel. The airport set a record for the month with 262,000 travelers on May 22, coinciding with the start of school half-term holidays. UK passenger numbers fell 1.9%, while Middle East traffic plunged 31%, marking a broader pattern of disruption that Heathrow linked to external travel constraints. Despite the declines, Heathrow marked its 80th birthday and pressed ahead with investment plans, including upgrades to Terminal Four car parks and check-in facilities. The group condemned the Civil Aviation Authority's proposed cuts to its investment plans, arguing such moves could undermine UK hub competitiveness. The CAA proposes increasing per-passenger charges by 1% over the next five years, and Heathrow seeks a higher cap for 2027-2031; planning permission for a third runway is targeted for 2029. Funding for expansion will be handled through a separate CAA process, underscoring regulatory complexity.