Latest news with #passengerGrowth
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heathrow says record demand shows ‘honest conversation' is needed on expansion
Heathrow airport has called for 'an honest conversation' about expansion after another record month for passenger numbers. More than 7.2 million passengers travelled through its four terminals last month. This was up 0.4% from a year ago and represents its busiest May on record. A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'As these record numbers become the norm, it's time to start an honest conversation about the challenges this presents for an already space-constrained yet highly efficient hub. 'Heathrow continues to deliver excellent service, but to sustain this performance and meet future demand, expanding capacity will be essential.' The airport has previously said it will submit detailed plans for building a third runway to the Government in the summer. Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a speech on growth in January to give her support to the project, which has been repeatedly delayed over several decades because of environmental concerns. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Heathrow says record demand shows ‘honest conversation' is needed on expansion
Heathrow airport has called for 'an honest conversation' about expansion after another record month for passenger numbers. More than 7.2 million passengers travelled through its four terminals last month. This was up 0.4% from a year ago and represents its busiest May on record. A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'As these record numbers become the norm, it's time to start an honest conversation about the challenges this presents for an already space-constrained yet highly efficient hub. 'Heathrow continues to deliver excellent service, but to sustain this performance and meet future demand, expanding capacity will be essential.' The airport has previously said it will submit detailed plans for building a third runway to the Government in the summer. Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a speech on growth in January to give her support to the project, which has been repeatedly delayed over several decades because of environmental concerns.
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Ajman Transport Authority carries 439,000 passengers during Eid Al-Adha Holiday, 34% increase over last year
Ajman Transport Authority (ATA) carried 439,168 passengers across various modes of transport in the emirate during the Eid Al-Adha holiday, marking a 34% increase compared to Eid Al-Adha last year. This growth reflects the efficiency of Ajman's transport system and the increasing public trust in the Authority's modern and diverse transport network. ATA noted that taxis topped the list of most-used transportation modes during the holiday, carrying 380,622 passengers. Their widespread availability and ease of access, coupled with smart booking services via digital apps, contributed significantly to their popularity. Public buses also witnessed notable demand, with 55,256 passengers utilising the service. Additionally, 2,716 passengers used the Abra water taxi, and 574 passengers benefited from the on-demand transport service, accessed through smart reservation systems. The Authority stated that this achievement was made possible by proactive planning and the implementation of a flexible, comprehensive operational plan. This included expanding the fleet, increasing the number of vehicles, and intensifying field monitoring, which allowed for effective traffic management and met the heightened transport demand during the holiday. The Authority emphasised that this remarkable increase in passenger numbers reflects the success of continuous investments in transport infrastructure, the adoption of smart digital solutions, and a commitment to high service quality. These efforts are aligned with Ajman Vision 2030, which aims to realise sustainable urban mobility and enhance quality of life for all segments of society through resilient, safe, and environmentally friendly infrastructure.
The Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Major UK airport's plans for millions more passengers ahead of £1.1bn expansion – with new flights to Europe this year
ONE of the UK's busiest airports has revealed plans for millions more passengers a year. London Stansted Airport is currently undergoing a major £1.1billion expansion. 2 And the airport is now seeking approval for an expansion that would allow up to 51million passengers a year by 2040. The airport capacity currently allows around 47million passengers. If given the go-ahead, it would make the airport the third busiest in the UK, behind London Heathrow and London Gatwick. The expansion plans so not include an additional runway, unlike Heathrow and Gatwick, due to the lack of surrounding space. And the current limit of 274,000 flights a year won't be increased either. However, improvements made to the train services as well as road access would be improved. The airport's Managing Director Gareth Powell said: "We have an exciting and ambitious vision for London Stansted and how we best serve our region. 'We have already kicked off our five-year £1.2 billion investment programme to transform the airport, and if this application is approved, we will be able to unlock even more local opportunities and improvements over the next 20 years." Last year, Stansted handled nearly 30million passengers - a record for the airport. The airport offers flights to more than 200 destinations including long-haul flights to Dubai and Barbados. New routes this year including Ryanair's flights to Reggio Calabria as well as TUI's Enfidha this summer. And Royal Air Maroc's new flights to Casablanca start this month. London Stansted's £1.1billion expansion includes an extended main terminal, as well as a bigger security hall and gate rooms. Works have already started and hope to be complete within three years. All of London's airports have revealed huge expansion plans in the next decade. London Heathrow is campaigning for a third runway, which would increase the current 80million passenger capacity to 140million a year. to welcome larger passenger aircraft, increasing capacity from 55million to 75million. Here are the 15 busiest airports in the UK by passenger numbers in 2023 London Heathrow - 79.2 million London Gatwick - 40.9 million Manchester - 28.1 million London Stansted - 28.0 million London Luton - 16.4 million Edinburgh - 14.4 million Birmingham - 11.5 million Bristol - 9.9 million Glasgow - 7.4 million Belfast International - 6.0 million Newcastle - 4.8 million Liverpool - 4.2 million Leeds Bradford - 4.0 million East Midlands - 3.9 million London City - 3.4 million And London Luton has plans to increase capacity from 19million passengers to 32milllion passengers. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester Airport's massive expansion as well. 2
Zawya
01-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IATA Middle East
Middle East Market Performance – Year to Date Year to Date demand for Middle East, which compares January to April 2025 with January to April 2024, was up 6% in line with global average. The YTD cargo performance for Middle East reflects some challenges – down 5.3% Middle East passenger numbers will double, reaching 530 million in 2043 Middle East passenger numbers will double, reaching 530 million in 2043 Traffic will grow at an average annual rate of 3.9% over the 2023 – 2043 period MEAN Safety Global Overview: The global accident rate in 2024 was 1.13 per million sectors, up from 1.09 in 2023. That means just over one accident for every million flights. While still below the 5-year average of 1.25, the slight uptick is a reminder that safety progress is not guaranteed—and must be actively defended. MENA saw a positive trend: the all-accident rate dropped from 1.12 in 2023 to 1.08 in 2024. This improvement, although modest, reflects efforts to strengthen oversight, standardize procedures, and invest in safety culture. Continued collaboration between regulators, airlines, and ground operations teams is essential to sustain this momentum Middle East Priorities Two priorities for the Middle East: No country left behind Regulatory harmonization. Aviation in Middle East is not developing evenly Overall, the Middle East is doing well in aviation. But the reality is that the region is not developing evenly. Geopolitical Instability: Ongoing conflicts in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Israel and Lebanon have resulted in prolonged airspace closures and significant disruption to flight operations. These conditions have weakened aviation infrastructure, eroded investor confidence, and limited access to critical markets. Overflight restrictions, particularly around Iranian and Syrian airspace, have forced airlines to reroute—raising fuel consumption, increasing emissions, and extending flight times. Conflict zones also hinder intra-regional connectivity, slowing economic integration and impeding the mobility of people and goods—especially in countries that would benefit most from enhanced air access. Sanctions limit access to aircraft, parts, and finance—isolating some carriers from the global aviation system and hindering safety and growth. GNSS While aviation has shown remarkable resilience amid political uncertainty, its full potential is unlocked in environments that are stable, peaceful, and open to international engagement. Economic Disparity The region contains some of the world's richest and poorest countries, with stark gaps in aviation capacity and investment. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) have built world-class hubs and fleets with strong government backing. In contrast, lower-income countries like Yemen, Lebanon, and Syria face declining infrastructure, underfunded civil aviation authorities, and outdated fleets. A coordinated regional approach is essential to narrow the gap. Regulatory Harmonization is a Priority for the Region No Unified Air Transport Market in the Middle East: There is currently no overarching framework allowing airlines to operate seamlessly across the Middle East. A more coordinated approach could enhance connectivity, efficiency, and economic integration. Fair and Proportionate Consumer Protection Regulations: Smart regulation that follows global best practices and industry standards is essential for aviation to thrive. Ineffective consumer legislation from Europe and the United States should not be imported. Consumer protection regulations must be fair and proportionate. Enhancing Maintenance and Safety Oversight: Differences in national regulations for MRO operations mean that certifications obtained in one country may not be recognized in another. This lack of mutual recognition creates barriers for MRO providers seeking to operate across multiple Middle Eastern countries, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. Cost-Effective And Timely Investment In Infrastructure Through Smart Regulations: Airport and infrastructure development is guided by diverse economic regulation models. A regionally informed approach could help ensure infrastructure is cost-effective, scalable, and airline-friendly. A regulatory framework that balances ambition with economic sustainability is key. An example is Saudi Arabia's aviation transformation strategy which is driven by growth without overburdening operators. Government Support Essential to Unlock Aviation's Full Potential in Middle East There are varying degrees of prioritization of aviation in the Middle East. A unified and collaborative approach will support in bridging the gap between countries and strengthen the region's role in aviation. Five priority areas to address are: Evolve Towards a More Integrated Air Transport Market: Foster greater regional collaboration on air service agreements to improve connectivity, reduce fragmentation, and enable more flexible route development. Fair and Proportionate Consumer Protection Regulations: Work towards a consistent baseline that follows ICAO principles, global industry best practices and standards of passenger rights across the region—ensuring travelers experience fair, transparent treatment no matter where they fly. Advancing Cost-Effective And Timely Investment In Infrastructure Through Smart Regulations: Promote infrastructure development that is cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with long-term traffic growth—ensuring airports and air navigation services remain accessible and affordable. Enhance Maintenance and Safety Oversight: Encourage mutual recognition of maintenance standards, training, and certifications to ensure consistent safety and support airline efficiency across borders. Support the Reintegration of States Emerging from Sanctions: Create pathways for the safe and structured return of states into the regional aviation system—facilitating access to aircraft, financing, and international standards while prioritizing safety and alignment.
