Heathrow airport has revealed a fall in passengers during the peak getaway month of August as it flagged “big challenges” across the sector.
The west London airport said 7.87 million passengers passed through its four terminals last month, down 2.1% year-on-year, despite cheering a record busy day on August 2, with nearly 272,000 passengers.
It comes after the firm revealed recently it was overtaken by Istanbul as Europe’s busiest airport in July.
But Heathrow said it remained the most “punctual” airport in Europe.
“Despite some big challenges across aviation this season, passengers consistently had smooth journeys, with 98% waiting less than five minutes at security, and 98% seeing bags depart as planned, helping retain the title of Europe’s most punctual hub,” the airport said.
UK airports have been thrown into chaos this week by a technical issue at National Air Traffic Services (Nats), which caused more than 2,000 flights arriving or departing the UK to be cancelled following the fault on Tuesday.
The disruption continued into Wednesday, but returned to normal throughout Thursday.
Calls have mounted for the head of Nats, Martin Rolfe, to resign, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told MPs on Wednesday afternoon she did not believe the air traffic control issue was “unavoidable”.
Heathrow’s traffic data shows a 1.7% fall in UK passengers – the biggest across all its markets – with a 0.3% drop for those from the European Union.
Passengers from the Middle East plunged by a fifth as the Iran war continues to disrupt travel from to and from the region.
Heathrow’s boss reiterated calls to get plans for its third runway off the ground after being given the go-ahead by the Government, insisting growth is being held back without it.
Chief executive Thomas Woldbye said: “This summer Heathrow remained Europe’s most punctual hub.
“The longest queue at Heathrow is now the one made up of over 40 airlines that want to better connect the UK but can’t secure a slot because our runways are full.
“Expansion is a national project that will create jobs, unlock growth and make travel more affordable.”
Chancellor John Healey told Treasury Questions in the House of Commons on Tuesday: “After years of delay, years of indecision, years of often vexatious challenge, we have given the go-ahead to this project quite simply because the economic case stacks up and will help bring growth.”
A public consultation on the Government’s Heathrow expansion national policy statement closed on September 1.