UK airports handled a record 81,158,297 passengers in the second quarter of 2026, edging past the previous high of 81,035,648 in the same period a year earlier. The total came even as traffic fell at Heathrow and Gatwick and Gulf-linked routes weakened sharply, with the overall result driven by stronger leisure demand, European travel and gains at regional airports.
Heathrow passenger numbers fell 3% in the quarter, while Gatwick declined 6%, showing that the record was not broad-based across the biggest London hubs. Traffic to the United Arab Emirates dropped 42%, Qatar 45%, Saudi Arabia 40%, Bahrain 54% and Kuwait 68%, with Dubai especially affected and Emirates and Qatar Airways seeing steep UK passenger declines.
The shift in traffic mix suggests UK airport demand remains resilient, but growth is moving away from Gulf connections and towards short-haul leisure and European sun routes. Regional airports also posted gains, helping offset the weaker performance on long-haul and Middle East services.