The boss of Heathrow today said “I don’t anyone who feels London is unsafe” as he revealed that that the airport is on track to handle a record 85 million passengers this year.
London’s global reputation for safety has been called into question over the past year as a barrage of TikTok viral videos have portrayed London as a lawless city with violent crime rife on its streets.
Last week former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi attracted ridicule when he suggested London was unsafe because he was forced to walk in the middle of the road to avoid a man who “hadn't slept for a week and just looked like somebody that might be violent. “
But Mr Woldbye, who runs Europe’s busiest airport, said: “ I don’t anyone who says they feel like London is unsafe. Compared with a lot of other major destinations London is a very safe place.”
Total passenger numbers rose 0.7% to an all time high of 84.5 million and are likely to hit 85 million this year before increasing by around 1% a year up to a capacity ceiling of around 90 million.
However, on current trends Heathrow could be overtaken later this year by Istanbul to become holder of the crown of Europe’s busiest airport.
Yesterday the Civil Aviation Authority said a record 302 million passengers passed through the UK’s airport.
Today’s full year figures showed Heathrow’s revenues up 2% at £3.6 billion but Ebitda earnings were unchanged at £2 billion. Pre-tax profits fell by a third to £575 million.
A first dividend for five years, totalling £550 million, was paid to shareholders, reflecting confidence in the sustainability of the recovery from the pandemic years.
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Capital investment of £1.3 billion, including the start of work to revamp Terminal 4 and a new baggage system design for Terminal 2.
Woldbye said: "Last year everyone at Heathrow rallied behind our ambition to deliver exceptional operational performance for our customers. Not only did we meet that goal, we surpassed it and achieved record‑breaking service levels.
“With strong foundations in place and with the airport now operating very close to capacity, the next chapter is crucial to our success.
“Expansion will unlock significant economic benefits and create an extraordinary airport, fit for the future. In 2026, we'll continue progressing our plans so we can deliver for both our customers and for the country."