LONDON, Feb. 13 – Heathrow Airport is “back to its best” after having recorded the busiest start of the year since before the pandemic, reported the German Press Agency (dpa), quoting the airport’s boss John Holland-Kaye.
Britain’s busiest airport revealed more than 5.4 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in January, reaching levels not seen since the start of 2020.
It comes as Britain’s airports were hit with severe disruption in the run-up to Christmas with Border Force staff staging strike action in December.
But the London-area airport said on Monday that it had “successfully managed” the strike action, having previously made assurances that it was operating normally with minimal queuing in immigration halls throughout the strike days.
Its overall passenger satisfaction scores are now at or above pre-pandemic levels, the airport also announced.
In January, 97 per cent of passengers waited less than 10 minutes for security, it said.
It follows a summer of major disruption for British airports like Heathrow as the aviation sector struggled to cope with staff shortages and travellers were met with sudden flight cancellations and severe delays.
Chief executive Holland-Kaye said: “Heathrow is back to its best, with passenger satisfaction scores meeting or exceeding 2019 levels. We are giving a warm welcome to families over the half-term getaway by delivering excellent service and bringing back the magic of travel.”
Furthermore, the airport said it is supportive of airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic restarting ticket sales to China, “reopening a key market for British exports once more.”
Businesses and investors have reacted positively to China reopening its borders this year as the world’s largest economy revealed it is developing a path out of its strict “zero COVID” policy.
Holland-Kaye delivered the update ahead of him standing down from his role this year. He has been chief executive for nine years and is set to remain in post until Heathrow appoints a successor.
