Heathrow raises passenger, revenue forecast amid ‘stronger than expected’ demand

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) expects higher passenger traffic in 2022 due to “stronger than expected demand”, the airport said in its latest traffic outlook.

LHR raised its forecast to 54.4 million from 53 million anticipated in its April 2022 report, a figure that had already increased from its December 2021 “guidance” of 45.5 million passengers.

“Our updated base case is that 54.4 million passengers, 67% of 2019 levels, are forecasted to travel through Heathrow in 2022, representing a significant increase to 2021 when travel restrictions were in place most of the year,” Heathrow said in a statement published on the London Stock Exchange.

“This takes account of the latest short-term outlook in terms of airline schedules, bookings and short-term capping of demand based on capacity,” Heathrow added.

“The 8.96 million increase in passengers compared to our December 2021 guidance of 45.5 million reflects stronger than expected demand,” the airport added.