Heathrow crucial for British trade

Heathrow Airport handled a trade value of £293 billion in 2025, accounting for more than a quarter of the total trade volume of the United Kingdom. These figures underscore Heathrow’s central role as the country’s primary port in terms of trade value. A total of over 1.59 million tons of cargo were transported through the airport, equivalent to the weight of approximately 265,000 elephants or more than 130,000 double-decker buses in London.

The data highlights the crucial importance of Heathrow for the British economy. The airport facilitates the rapid transport of high-value and time-sensitive goods into the United Kingdom. In 2025, goods worth approximately £166 billion arrived at the airport. Daily, products essential for everyday life in Britain are imported through Heathrow. For instance, fresh mangoes from India reach the country’s supermarkets, while temperature-sensitive medications and vaccines from European and North American pharmaceutical centers are distributed to hospitals and pharmacies. High-quality electronics such as smartphones and semiconductors are transported in the cargo holds of passenger planes from Asia, quickly reaching retailers and manufacturers in the United Kingdom. Luxury fashion from cities like Milan and Paris is also delivered to flagship stores on Bond Street within hours of arrival.

Heathrow’s connectivity to hundreds of destinations in dozens of countries supports British businesses in exporting their products. In 2025, goods worth around £127 billion were exported from the airport. This includes products that require the speed of air transport to remain fresh, such as the award-winning gourmet popcorn brand Joe & Seph’s. Cartwright and Butler from Yorkshire also exported more than 6,500 of its luxury baked goods through Heathrow in 2025.

As the only hub airport in the United Kingdom, Heathrow plays a unique role in global trade. Over 90% of the airport’s trade volume is with non-EU countries, highlighting Heathrow’s significance in connecting British businesses with key international markets. Government data also shows that Heathrow handles about 75% of the total air freight volume of the United Kingdom. However, the airport is already operating at its capacity limit. To ensure the competitiveness of British businesses and enable them to explore new opportunities for international trade, an expansion of Heathrow is necessary.

James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow Airport, emphasized: „These figures demonstrate how vital the airport is for exporters, manufacturers, and supply chains across the country. From life-saving medications arriving in the country to the export of fresh British products like popcorn and biscuits, Heathrow, in collaboration with our cargo community, enables the swift transport of goods around the world. The expansion of Heathrow will ensure that the United Kingdom has the capacity to further develop trade relationships, support jobs and supply chains, and remain competitive in the global economy.“

www.heathrow.com