London Heathrow Airport delivers record May as airport prepares for a busy and well-managed summer season
Posted: 12 June 2025 | Gabriel Higgins | No comments yet
London Heathrow Airport welcomed 7.2 million passengers in May, delivering strong service and preparing confidently for summer demand.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) welcomed over 7.2 million passengers in May 2025, making it the airport’s busiest May on record. The late May bank holiday boosted travel, pushing the airport’s 12-month rolling passenger total to 84 million, a new milestone.
Heathrow Airport prepares for record-breaking summer with strong performance and high passenger satisfaction
New York JFK became the first route of the year to surpass one million passengers, with Dubai close behind. Meanwhile, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Cyprus all saw double-digit passenger growth compared to May 2024.
The Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham triggered a record day for flights to Bilbao, with 16 services operating over two days, double the usual amount.
Join us live: Shaping the Next Generation of Hold Baggage and Air Cargo Screening
Join us live for an insightful webinar on 11th December at 14:00 GMT, in collaboration with Smiths Detection, as we explore the strategic balance of operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in high-volume security environments.
This session offers a focused look into future-proofing your security strategy.
Key learning points
- Cost Reduction: Strategies to minimize bag travel time while simultaneously reducing operational costs.
- Regulatory Roadmap: Insights into the next wave of regulatory changes and their impact on future investment decisions.
- Sustainable Systems: Practical approaches to building sustainability into security systems and lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Scalable Solutions: Real-world examples of scalable systems supporting current airport growth and preparing for tomorrow.
Register now for expert insights, case studies, and actionable strategies on operational efficiency!
Heathrow reports that 95% of passengers rated their experience as good or excellent, while 99% of security queues were under five minutes. These figures reflect the airport’s operational readiness for a busy summer travel season.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye commented: “Over 95% of our passengers rated their experience with us as good or excellent, that’s testament to why more people are choosing to travel through Heathrow. Over the past year, we’ve supported 84 million journeys, and this summer we’re ready to welcome even more.
“The fact remains that Heathrow is at capacity, yet even in a space-constrained environment, we’ve improved on-time performance and delivered strong security results by working closely with airlines and other partners. With hundreds of millions of pounds invested in infrastructure like new security lanes and baggage systems, we’ll continue enhancing the Heathrow experience and strengthening the UK’s global connections.”
Heathrow says that sustained record growth benefits passengers, airlines, and the UK economy, but also highlights the urgent need for expanded capacity to continue delivering efficient, high-quality service.
Stay Ahead in Aviation — Subscribe for Free!
Get exclusive access to the latest aviation insights from International Airport Review — all tailored to your interests.
✅ Expert-Led Webinars – Learn from industry leaders
✅ Weekly News & Reports – Airport updates, thought leadership, and exclusive interviews
✅ Event Invitations – Be part of the International Airport Summit
✅ Partner Innovations – Discover the latest industry trends
Choose the updates that matter most to you. Sign up now and stay informed, inspired, and connected — all for free!
Thank you for being part of our community. Let’s keep exploring the future of aviation together!
Join our free webinar: Beyond silos: How ecosystem thinking elevates the airport experience
In today’s complex aviation landscape, airports are moving beyond siloed operations to embrace a new era of collaboration. This webinar focuses on how leading airports are using ecosystem thinking to adapt, personalize, and continuously improve every touchpoint, boosting both passenger satisfaction and non-aeronautical revenue.
Date: 13 Nov | Time: 10:00 GMT
REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR SPOT
Can’t attend live? No worries – register to receive the recording post-event.
Related topics
Airlines, Airport development, Airport leadership, Operational efficiency, Passenger experience and seamless travel, Passenger volumes, Retail, Security, Sustainability, Tourism
Chief Executive Officer
CEO
Chief Operating Officer
Head of Operations, Safety and Emergency
Chief Strategy Development Officer
Head of Operations
Airport General Manager
CEO
Chief Executive Officer