London Heathrow Airport Expects Record Passenger Numbers in December

Heathrow has announced that 25 of its flight routes could each record more than one million passengers this year, likely surpassing pre-pandemic traffic levels, supported by strong demand in the summer.

The positive outlook for Heathrow reflects the ongoing recovery in the aviation industry. United Airlines predicted on Tuesday with 9.9 million passengers between December 19 and January 6, its busiest holiday period ever - an increase of 12 percent compared to the previous year.

European destinations are particularly popular with U.S. travelers. Bookings to Europe increased by 30 percent compared to 2019 and by 10 percent year-over-year. According to United Airlines, Christmas markets in Europe are attracting more American travelers. The airline plans almost 60 nonstop flights daily between its U.S. hubs and Europe, more than any other U.S. airline.

Even Europe's largest tour operator Tui reported a strong winter business. Bookings for destinations such as the Canary Islands, Egypt, and Cape Verde increased by 4 percent compared to the previous year. Popular long-haul destinations are Thailand, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Many consumers are opting for package tours in order to better control expenses in light of rising costs.

Online travel providers like On the Beach also benefit. The company reported bookings at record levels for the winter, an increase of 25 percent compared to the previous year. Cheaper sunny destinations, particularly in North Africa, are especially popular with British vacationers.

Heathrow and its partners are under pressure to ensure smooth operations during the holidays after air traffic control issues particularly affected British Airways in the summer. Nevertheless, the holidays are considered less prone to disruptions than the summer months.

This year was all about a high level of service for a record number of passengers," said Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye.