Heathrow announces £2.3bn accelerated investment plan to upgrade the UK’s international gateway to growth
- Heathrow announces £2.3 billion accelerated investment plan to upgrade the airport over the next two years – the largest private sector capital investment in UK transport infrastructure, with an increase of almost a quarter of a billion compared to previous estimates
- Investment will fund projects such as accelerating the airport’s decarbonisation, and over the two years will create contract opportunities for businesses and SMEs nationwide
- Increased investment comes as Heathrow publishes the first annual Investment Impact Report illustrating the impact of Heathrow’s £1.1bn investment in 2024
The £2.3 billion investment is an uplift of £244 million on previously forecasted investments which will be used to enhance capabilities across all terminals, including baggage delivery and projects to support punctual departures and arrivals. The investment programme will improve service, resilience, passenger experience, and sustainability for all passengers at Heathrow.
The Independent Journeys Project, for example, will empower passengers requiring additional support and give them a choice to travel in the most independent way throughout the airport. Active Travel projects will encourage cycling and walking to the airport and between terminals, and are expected to be completed in 2027.
Critically, Heathrow’s increased investment serves to support the Government’s national mission for growth. To deliver the UK’s industrial strategy and support industries that rely on Heathrow’s global connectivity, it is critical that the UK’s international gateway for trade and tourism is fit for the future. These investments over the next two years will drive economic growth across all parts of the UK while allowing Heathrow – the world’s best-connected airport – to continue delivering for passengers and airlines.
This investment will also create contract possibilities for businesses and SMEs nationwide, both local to the airport and across the country. In line with Heathrow’s long track record of supporting and developing its supply chain, it provides support through initiatives including the Business Summit programme which connects SMEs to opportunities.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “Heathrow is the UK’s gateway to the world, and ultimately, the country’s gateway to growth. Today’s announcement confirms that we will continue to invest more than £1bn of private sector cash each year into the airport to deliver facilities our airlines and passengers want, while boosting the UK economy and creating opportunities for businesses up and down the country.”
This announcement comes as Heathrow’s Investment Impact Report outlines how Heathrow has made significant investments in the airport in 2024, reaching £1.1 billion and benefiting over 1,100 supply chain partners in the UK. The £191 million investment to upgrade security lanes over the course of 2024, for example, has ensured that Heathrow is prepared for the increase in demand expected during the Christmas period and continues to focus on passenger experience, making our airport smarter and smoother for passengers and an even better place to work for colleagues.
Today’s announcement details the scale and impact of the upgrade programme the UK’s hub airport will undertake over the next two years. These investments will ensure that Heathrow continues to provide opportunities for UK businesses of all sizes to grow and thrive while delivering for passengers and businesses that depend on a world-class hub.
Notes to Editors
- Planned investments total £1.05 billion in the airport’s infrastructure in 2025, and an additional £1.29 billion to be invested in 2026
