Leading aviation and business groups have joined forces to demand fundamental reforms of Heathrow Airport’s regulatory framework.
Virgin Atlantic, IAG (British Airways’ parent company), the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), and the Arora hotel group have launched the ‘Heathrow Reimagined: A Better Hub for Britain’ campaign, urging the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to conduct a comprehensive review of Heathrow’s pricing and operations.
“Heathrow is the world’s most expensive airport, with passengers paying £1,1 billion (R25,1bn) more annually compared to other major European hubs,” the partners said in a statement.
Despite these high costs, the airport has slipped out of Skytrax’s top global rankings and has been labelled Europe’s “most stressful airport”, according to the statement.
The campaign argues that Heathrow’s current regulatory model incentivises inefficiency, leading to high costs for airlines and travellers while failing to deliver world-class service.
Industry leaders emphasise that reform is crucial to ensure fair pricing and improved infrastructure without delaying expansion plans, including the potential third runway, as reported by Travel News.
"Heathrow is rapidly falling behind other major airports in both service and cost-effectiveness," said Nigel Wicking, CEO of Heathrow AOC.
"The airline community wants growth and better passenger experiences without the disproportionate costs imposed by Heathrow Airport Limited."
IAG CEO, Luis Gallego, added: "Heathrow’s passenger experience does not match its cost. An urgent regulatory review is necessary to restore its status as a leading global airport."
The campaign highlights more cost-efficient international airport projects, including developments in Barcelona, Frankfurt, Madrid, Munich, and Singapore, which have delivered high-quality infrastructure at a fraction of Heathrow’s costs.
Following its submission to the CAA, Heathrow Reimagined will work with industry stakeholders and the government to drive regulatory changes that benefit passengers and airlines.
