The Massive Scale Of Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport, located in the west of London, is the UK's largest and busiest airport. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest in the world. The airport, owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, has two runways and four operational terminal buildings, with around 475,000 aircraft movements annually. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, with approximately 80-90 airlines flying to over 180 destinations worldwide.

Runway and terminal count

Heathrow Airport currently has two runways, which compares to four runways at Paris' Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt Airport, and six at Amsterdam's Schiphol. In 2015, the Airports Commission recommended the construction of a third runway, with a projected capacity of 740,000 flights per year upon completion. This proposal was approved by the British government in October 2016, and the House of Commons voted in favour of the third runway in June 2018. However, in February 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that the government's decision to proceed with the third runway was unlawful, as the government's commitments to combat climate change under the Paris Agreement were not considered.

Heathrow Airport currently has five terminals. Terminal 1, which was formally opened in 1969 by Queen Elizabeth, was closed in June 2015. Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in June 2014 and is the airport's first terminal for short-haul flights. Terminal 3, home to Oneworld members and several long-haul carriers, opened in 1961 and has an area of 210,000 m². Terminal 4, situated to the south of the southern runway, opened in 1986 and has 22 gates. Terminal 5, the newest terminal, opened in 2008 and was the subject of the longest public inquiry in British planning history, lasting nearly four years.

Annual passenger traffic

Heathrow Airport is the primary and largest international airport serving London, the capital and most populous city in the United Kingdom. It is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, which was formerly known as the British Airports Authority. Heathrow is the largest airport in the United Kingdom and one of the busiest in the world, handling over 70 million passengers annually in the last decade.

In 2023, Heathrow Airport handled approximately 79.2 million passengers, up from 61.6 million the previous year. Passenger traffic had been increasing until 2019, when it saw a sharp decrease due to the coronavirus pandemic, dropping to around 22 million travellers in 2020. Heathrow's passenger numbers rebounded, with more than four million passengers travelling through the airport in March 2023, making it the busiest airport in Europe once again.

Heathrow Airport has two parallel east-west runways, four operational passenger terminals, and one cargo terminal. It is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. The airport has been gradually expanded over 75 years since its founding as a small airfield in 1930. This expansion has included the construction of Terminal 2, also known as The Queen's Terminal, which opened in 2014.

To accommodate increasing air traffic, Heathrow Airport Holdings has proposed using the existing two runways in 'mixed mode', allowing aircraft to take off and land on the same runway. This would increase the airport's capacity from 480,000 movements per year to as many as 550,000. Another proposal to increase traffic capacity is the construction of a third runway, which has been approved after years of debate.

History and development

Heathrow Airport, located 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London, has grown from a small airfield in 1929 to become the UK's largest and busiest airport. It is also the busiest airport in Europe and the fourth busiest in the world by passenger traffic.

The land on which Heathrow Airport stands was first mentioned in 1410 as a semi-rural lane called Heathrow (spelled La Hetherewe). In 1915, Fairey Aviation, founded by British aero-engineer and plane builder Richard Fairey, began assembling and flight-testing aircraft at Northolt Aerodrome, six miles north of the modern Heathrow Airport. In 1929, Fairey purchased a 150-acre plot of land in Harmondsworth to build a private airport for assembling and testing aircraft. This became known as the Great West Aerodrome, sometimes called the Heathrow Aerodrome, and was the precursor to Heathrow Airport. During the Second World War, the airfield was used by the RAF for diversions, and in 1943, the Air Ministry requisitioned the land to build a base for long-range bombers. An RAF-style control tower was constructed, and a 'Star of David' pattern of runways was laid, the longest of which was 3,000 yards long and 100 yards wide.

After the war, the UK Government continued to develop the site as a civil airport, and on 25 March 1946, it was opened as London Airport. In 1947, the first annual post-war aviation society gatherings were held at Heathrow, with aircraft and manufacturers on display. In 1952, the airport was renamed Heathrow Airport, and Terminal 1 was opened. In 1977, Concorde made its first passenger flight, and in 1986, the Heathrow Express rail service was launched. In 1987, the British Airports Authority, which controlled Heathrow and six other UK airports, was privatised. During the late 1980s and 1990s, the new owners expanded the terminal space allocated to retail and invested in retail development, including routing passengers through shopping areas. In 1997, the planning stage of the Terminal 5 Public Planning Inquiry ended, marking the longest planning process in UK history at that time.

Ownership and regulation

Heathrow Airport Holdings, formerly known as BAA plc, owns Heathrow Airport. Heathrow Airport Holdings is, in turn, owned by FGP Topco Limited, a consortium owned and led by Ardian (22.61%), Qatar Investment Authority (20.00%), Public Investment Fund (15.01%), GIC (11.20%), Australian Retirement Trust (11.18%), China Investment Corporation (10.00%), Ferrovial S.A. (5.25%), Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (2.65%), and Universities Superannuation Scheme (2.10%). Ferrovial, a Spanish company, led the consortium that acquired BAA plc in 2006.

Heathrow Airport Holdings was formed after Margaret Thatcher privatised the British Airports Authority (BAA). BAA plc also owned Gatwick and Stansted Airports but was required to sell them, leaving Heathrow as its only remaining airport.

Heathrow Airport is subject to financial regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CAA heavily regulates Heathrow Airport Holdings, including how much it can charge airlines to land. The CAA denied Heathrow's request to raise airport fees in October 2020. In matters of safety and security, Heathrow Airport is regulated by the Government and the CAA.

Heathrow Airport is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system. It is 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London and covers 4.74 square miles (12.3 square kilometres). Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It is the busiest airport in Europe and the fourth-busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic. Heathrow was also the airport with the most international connections in the world in 2024.

Employment and economic impact

Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in Europe and the second busiest airport in the world as of March 2025. With a capacity of 4.3 million seats, it is a bustling hub of activity, offering a wide range of career opportunities.

Heathrow Airport is not just an airport; it is a thriving community that offers a diverse range of career paths and unlimited ways to make a difference. The airport employed approximately 7,626 workers in 2023, a 23% increase from the previous year. This number had fluctuated over the years, with a peak of 9,075 employees in 2013. The airport's iconic status and its role as a global gateway provide a unique backdrop to various careers, from health and safety to finance and IT.

The airport's security personnel, for instance, play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers and staff. They greet people, patrol the premises, monitor secure areas, and provide exceptional customer service. Their presence contributes to a welcoming and diverse environment, which is a key aspect of Heathrow's culture.

Heathrow also offers emerging talent programmes, recognising the importance of fostering new skills and providing encouragement. The airport's complex operation relies on a vast cast of individuals, each bringing their unique skills and personalities to the table.

Heathrow's economic impact extends beyond its immediate workforce. As a significant global hub, it contributes to the UK's economy through tourism, trade, and business. The airport's capacity and status as Europe's busiest airport attract travellers from around the world, boosting local businesses and creating indirect job opportunities in various sectors.

The airport's economic footprint is further enhanced by its ownership structure. Heathrow Airport Holdings Limited is owned by a consortium of investors, including Ardian, Qatar Investment Authority, and the Public Investment Fund. This diverse ownership contributes to the airport's financial regulation and governance, ensuring its long-term sustainability and impact on the UK economy.

In conclusion, Heathrow Airport's employment and economic impact are significant. With a direct workforce of thousands, a wide range of career paths, and a culture that fosters diversity and talent, the airport contributes to the UK's economy and provides a unique, exciting, and rewarding environment for its employees and passengers alike.

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