Air-traffic forecasts released on 2 December indicate that Britain’s airports are heading for their busiest festive season on record, with more than 22 million passengers expected this month—up almost 8 per cent on December 2024. Heathrow alone is planning for 7 million travellers, while Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham are warning of peak-day footfall close to summer-holiday levels.
The Civil Aviation Authority notes that punctuality improved to 64 per cent of flights on time in Q3 2025, yet remains below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 69 per cent. Airlines and the Department for Transport have launched joint “Get Set Go” guidance urging passengers to download digital boarding passes in advance, keep power banks handy for potential weather delays and understand EU261 compensation rights.
![UK Airports Brace for Record-Breaking Christmas with 22 Million Passengers in December]()
For global-mobility teams, the surge means longer security queues and heightened risk of missed connections for assignees flying in for January start dates. Companies should build extra buffer time into itineraries and consider premium-security fast-track passes for senior staff. Carriers are also reminding travellers that the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be enforced from February 2026; non-visa nationals should therefore apply well before spring travel to avoid last-minute refusals.
Airport operators will deploy 3,500 seasonal staff and additional eGates, but unions representing Border Force officers warn that any spike in sickness or adverse weather could trigger cascading delays. Contingency rosters include trained civil-service volunteers, a model first used during strikes in late 2024. Mobility managers should monitor live feeds and keep emergency accommodation options on file for stranded employees.
Despite the challenges, industry analysts see the record volumes as a sign of robust demand for both leisure and corporate travel, consolidating the UK’s position as Europe’s largest aviation market. Heathrow’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ross Baker, said the airport would “pull out all the stops” to deliver a smooth Christmas getaway.
The Civil Aviation Authority notes that punctuality improved to 64 per cent of flights on time in Q3 2025, yet remains below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 69 per cent. Airlines and the Department for Transport have launched joint “Get Set Go” guidance urging passengers to download digital boarding passes in advance, keep power banks handy for potential weather delays and understand EU261 compensation rights.
For global-mobility teams, the surge means longer security queues and heightened risk of missed connections for assignees flying in for January start dates. Companies should build extra buffer time into itineraries and consider premium-security fast-track passes for senior staff. Carriers are also reminding travellers that the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will be enforced from February 2026; non-visa nationals should therefore apply well before spring travel to avoid last-minute refusals.
Airport operators will deploy 3,500 seasonal staff and additional eGates, but unions representing Border Force officers warn that any spike in sickness or adverse weather could trigger cascading delays. Contingency rosters include trained civil-service volunteers, a model first used during strikes in late 2024. Mobility managers should monitor live feeds and keep emergency accommodation options on file for stranded employees.
Despite the challenges, industry analysts see the record volumes as a sign of robust demand for both leisure and corporate travel, consolidating the UK’s position as Europe’s largest aviation market. Heathrow’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ross Baker, said the airport would “pull out all the stops” to deliver a smooth Christmas getaway.
