Press Release: Airline, travel and tourism sectors rally behind call for urgent and fundamental reform of Heathrow’s regulatory model

Airline, travel and tourism sectors rally behind call for urgent and fundamental reform of Heathrow’s regulatory model

• The Business Travel Association (BTA) is a representative association for the business travel community and travel management companies, with members accounting for over 90% of all managed travel booked in the UK
• The Advantage Travel Partnership represents independently owned travel businesses who operate across 750 locations throughout the UK, with a global network footprint across 83 countries, generating over £15.6 billion in sales annually
• The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents over 200 companies accounting for two-thirds of a trillion US dollar in turnover - equivalent to 30% of the entire sector. It is the only global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector and its numerous industries
• The Board of Airlines Representatives in the UK (BAR UK) is the industry association representing the majority of overseas based airlines operating to the UK

London, 10 March 2025

Today, four of the world’s leading associations representing airlines, the travel community and travel management companies have joined the Heathrow Reimagined campaign. The landmark campaign has made an evidential submission to the CAA calling for an urgent and fundamental review into the way in which Heathrow, the UK’s only hub airport and the largest in Europe is regulated, for the benefit of consumers, businesses, and the UK economy.

The announcement comes shortly after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and American Airlines joined the Heathrow Reimagined campaign and reinforces calls for an improved experience for passengers at the world’s most expensive airport.

A spokesperson for Heathrow Reimagined, said:

“Despite spending £15 billion in the last 20 years, Heathrow Airport Limited continues to operate some of the world’s oldest terminals, thanks to a regulatory system that encourages inefficient spend and fails to provide value for money to passengers. Instead of being a source of national pride, Heathrow, Britain’s only hub airport, has dropped out of  the Skytrax Top 20 for passenger experience.

“These leading travel associations represent the voice of business and leisure passengers alike, as well as our vibrant industries. Their support for the Heathrow Reimagined campaign sends a clear message to the Civil Aviation Authority that the time to act is now. An urgent review is essential to ensure the right framework is in place before passengers and airlines are locked into high charges for decades to come.”

The evidential submission and request for a fundamental review made to the CAA follows years of declining passenger experience and ageing infrastructure at the airport. Coupled with expansion plans that will raise passenger charges again, Heathrow Reimagined estimates passengers and airlines are paying £1.1 billion more each year than if charges were in line with equivalent major European airports.

Clive Wratten, Chief Executive Officer of The Business Travel Association (BTA), said: “We need a clear and fair cost strategy that protects all travellers, especially those travelling for business and are already balancing increased operational overheads. The BTA looks forward to working with the industry as part of this Heathrow Reimagined campaign to ensure that the airport’s expansion and regulatory reform strengthens the UK’s global connectivity without creating unnecessary financial burdens for the businesses who rely on it.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Chief Executive Officer of The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “Heathrow is the most expensive airport in the world but it certainly does not offer the best passenger experience in return. As we continue to see a cost of living crisis in the UK, passengers shouldn’t be paying a penny more than is necessary.

“We would welcome regulatory intervention so we can better understand why our customers pay so much more to use Heathrow than any other airport globally. This is more important now than ever, as the costs associated with a third runway could potentially extrapolate these high charges even further.”

Julia Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer of The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), said: “As a global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel and Tourism, it is clear that the UK is at a critical juncture. The Travel & Tourism sector contributed £280 billion to the UK economy last year, making Heathrow, its only hub airport, even more critical in unlocking economic growth across the country. It is clear that for too long, despite being the most expensive airport in the world, Heathrow hasn’t provided value for money for passengers and airlines alike. The Civil Aviation Authority now has an opportunity and duty to review what has gone wrong.”

Michael Smeeth, Chief Executive of The Board of Airlines Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), said: “As the UK industry body representing the majority of airlines operating to the UK we are supporting the Heathrow Reimagined campaign, as we believe it is crucial for the UK to have a world class global hub airport that is able to deliver not only good connectivity, but also excellent value. This is crucial to ensure that the biggest benefits to consumers, businesses, and the UK economy are delivered.”

The Heathrow Reimagined campaign continues to actively engage with the wider industry and government to achieve its primary objective of fundamental reform. This can serve as a first step towards delivering value for consumers, UK plc and the government’s growth agenda. The campaign is supported by the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC), Advantage Travel Partnership, American Airlines, Arora Group, Board of Airlines Representatives in the UK (BAR UK), Business Travel Association (BTA), International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Airlines Group (IAG), Virgin Atlantic and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

ENDS

 

For more information about Heathrow Reimagined: A Better Hub for Britain, please visit: www.heathrow-reimagined.com  

For media inquiries please contact:

Ollie Pratt: +44 (0) 7807 295 691

FTI Consulting: [email protected]