Heathrow Plans £10bn Expansion for 10 Million Passengers by 2031

Heathrow Airport has announced a £10 billion investment plan for 2027 to 2031 aimed at increasing its passenger capacity by 10 million per year, a 12% rise from current levels. The plan includes redeveloping the Central Terminal Area, demolishing the old Terminal 1, extending Terminal 2, and building a new southern road tunnel to improve access, along with adding new lounges, shops, and restaurants. Heathrow also intends to grow cargo capacity by 20% and improve passenger services, including faster security and baggage handling, with a focus on supporting travelers needing additional assistance. The expansion is a privately financed initiative, with plans to keep average airport charges lower in real terms than a decade ago, though the proposed fee would rise to £33.26 per passenger, which has drawn criticism from airlines. Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye emphasized that the plan is part of making the airport more sustainable and digitally prepared while enhancing the overall travel experience. The airport’s capacity increase is designed to precede the government-backed new runway, which is not expected until at least 2035.