Heathrow breaking records as passenger numbers soar

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy London Heathrow expects to handle a record-breaking 83.8 million passengers in 2024 – an average of 230,000 per day. Heathrow’s chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, said: “This summer has tested our colleagues, infrastructure and airlines to cooperate harder than ever before, with record numbers of passengers travelling through the busiest two-runway airport in the world. “We have risen to this challenge, delivering excellent service with over 91 per cent of passengers waiting at security for less than five minutes.” He called on chancellor Rachel Reeves to use the budget next week as “a prime opportunity to set the aviation industry up for long-term success”. From April next year, all international transit passengers – except UK and Irish citizens – will be required to pay £10 and enrol online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, even if they are merely changing planes “airside”.