UK's Heathrow forecasts 2025 passengers to surpass last year

(Reuters) -Britain's Heathrow Airport reported record passengers for the third quarter of 2025 on Wednesday and said it expected full-year numbers to surpass 2024 levels, as it continues to invest in infrastructure and prepare for long-term expansion.

The airport handled 23.4 million passengers in the three months to September, including more than 8 million in August alone.

Revenue for the nine months to September rose 2.0% to 2.7 billion pounds ($3.62 billion), driven by strong long-haul demand and increased uptake of premium services.

Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 0.2% to 1.53 billion pounds as it was impacted by the loss of tax-free shopping, increased security costs and higher employment taxes.

Heathrow said its outlook for 2025 remained consistent with its June investor report.

The airport said it was also continuing to push forward with plans for a third runway, which it says could be operational within a decade, pending planning approval expected by 2029.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru and Sam Tabahriti in London; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Paul Sandle)