UK. The further easing of travel restrictions throughout July resulted in a +74% year-on-year upsurge in passengers at Heathrow Airport.
The airport company noted in an announcement today that with consumer confidence on the rise, over 1.5 million travellers passed through the London gateway last month. This marked the highest monthly passenger volume since March 2020.
The recent relaxation in rules has provided a much-needed boost to the UK travel industry, and enabled people across Britain to look forward to a more normal summer reuniting with family and friends abroad, Heathrow said.
North American passenger numbers grew by nearly +230% year-on-year with New York JFK reclaiming the top spot as Heathrow’s most popular route. Later this week Heathrow is set to further increase its transatlantic offering, as it welcomes American carrier JetBlue.
“With fully vaccinated US visitors now able to travel to the UK without the need to quarantine, the joint UK/US travel taskforce must capitalise on the UK’s world-leading vaccine roll-out and reach a reciprocal agreement for fully vaccinated UK travellers,” Heathrow said.
“Ministers committed to reducing testing costs over three months ago. However, the UK still stands as an outlier with Europe slashing their prices and in some cases, subsiding them,” Heathrow Airport said.
“Meanwhile, the cost of testing in the UK remains prohibitive for many, as industry calls for VAT to be scrapped, alongside the use of cheaper lateral flow for low-risk destinations. This will keep people safe and will avoid travel becoming the preserve for the wealthy.”
As more countries hit their vaccine roll-out milestones whilst maintaining low infection rates, the reopening of vital trading links such as Canada and Singapore is critical for British business, the company said. “Severed trade links must be restored as soon as the data allows, and UK Government should not delay these vital decisions,” it urged.
Heathrow Chief Operating Officer Emma Gilthorpe said: “Finally, some blue skies are on the horizon, as travel and trade routes slowly reopen. The job though is far from complete. Government must now capitalise on the vaccine dividend and seize the opportunity to replace expensive PCR tests with more affordable lateral flow tests.
“This will ensure travel remains attainable for hardworking Brits, desperate for well-earned getaways and keen to reunite with loved ones before the summer travel window closes.”
Note: Heathrow received triple recognition at the 2021 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Heathrow was voted ‘Best Airport in Western Europe’, secured ‘World’s Best Airport in 20-25 million passenger category’ and was the only UK airport to win the COVID-19 Airport Excellence Award, which recognises the stringent health, hygiene and safety prot
