Over 40 airlines vie for Heathrow slots as expansion debate intensifies

More than 40 airlines are currently seeking access to slots at Heathrow Airport, while the UK Prime Minister appeared to refuse to back a third runway in September 2026 and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has been a long‑term critic of further expansion.

Heathrow welcomed almost 7.2 million passengers in September 2026, a 2.3% drop from the same month a year earlier; travel to the Middle East fell 20% while flights to and from Asia‑Pacific increased, cargo volumes grew 5% year‑on‑year, and over the last 12 months more than 84 million passengers used the airport, with 68% of local residents supporting the expansion project.