A total of 84.5 million people travelled through the west London airport in 2025, a 0.7 per cent increase on the 83.9 million recorded in 2024.
Heathrow’s busiest ever December also contributed to the record, with nine months of the year surpassing previous passenger totals.
Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow’s chief executive, said: “December’s record-breaking performance shows the strength of demand for Heathrow and the benefit to passengers of the great service our colleagues are providing.
“Last year, there was no hub airport in Europe that was more punctual than Heathrow, and we look forward to building on that success in 2026.
“With the Government’s support for our expansion plans, and the right regulatory framework from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to secure private investment, we can unlock even more of that connectivity, trade and economic growth for the UK.”
In November, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the Government is “backing the builders to get Heathrow’s third runway built”.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is reviewing the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), which will provide the framework for making decisions on airport growth.
She previously said she has an ambition for flights to take off from a new runway at Heathrow in 2035.
