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The latest news on airports globally, with updates on financing, infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) saw revenue and Ebitda increase slightly year-over-year in the 2025 first quarter, even as passengers handled by the airport decreased by 1.6% from the 2024 March quarter. LHR generated £825 million ($1.1 billion) in revenue in the three months ended March 31, up 2.1% over £808 million in revenue in the same period in 2024. “The higher revenue was driven by more long-haul flying and improved property and retail income,” LHR said. Aeronautical revenue rose 0.6% year-over-year to £518 million, while retail revenue increased 1.2% to £170 million. Other revenue, which includes the Heathrow Express rail service, lifted 9.6% year-over-year to £137 million. Passengers handled by the airport in the first quarter totaled 18.2 million, down 1.6% from 18.5 million travelers in the 2024 first quarter. LHR’s costs for the March quarter increased 1.6% year-over-year to £371 million, though employment costs lowered 7.9% to £105 million. Looking forward, “we expect overall passenger demand in 2025 to exceed 2024,” LHR said. The airport added performance metrics were strong in the first quarter. “Punctuality is now close to record highs with over 81% of flights leaving on time, nearly 99% of bags travelling on their flights as expected and 97% of passengers waiting less than 5 min. at security,” LHR said.
The U.S. FAA reported that the agency’s analysis of “hotspot” airports where airline traffic and helicopters could come into conflict led to the discovery of “several immediate issues” at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). The FAA’s broad review, which uses “machine learning and language modeling to scan incident reports and mine multiple data sources,” was launched in response to the Jan. 29 fatal midair collision between an American Eagle CRJ700 and a military helicopter at Reagan Washington National Airport. The agency is attempting to determine which U.S. airports could be at risk of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters coming into conflict. The FAA said helicopter operators at LAS are required to avoid airline arrival and departure corridors, but these corridors “lack defined vertical or lateral measurements.” Additionally, LAS “tower controllers do not issue traffic advisories between returning air tour helicopters and arriving or departing airplanes, resulting in a routine lack of compliance with … separation rules.” The FAA said it has taken “quick action” at LAS, which has included “exercising positive control over the helicopters and issuing more traffic advisories to pilots. As a result, the number of traffic alert and collision avoidance system reports decreased by 30% in just three weeks.” The agency said it plans “additional actions around Las Vegas, and as we identify issues around other airports, we’ll take any immediate action necessary in those locations too.” One airport being looked at closely is Hollywood Burbank Airport, which is less than 10 mi. from general-aviation-focused Van Nuys Airport in the Los Angeles area. “Each serves a wide mix of aircraft, and they have closely spaced arrival and departure paths,” the agency said.
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) named Chris McLaughlin its new CEO, replacing Sean Donohue, who is retiring. McLaughlin, who has been DFW’s executive vice president of operations since 2021, will officially take over the top spot at the airport on May 19. He previously worked at Denver International Airport as chief operating officer and also headed the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s Office of Security Operations. “DFW Airport has an extraordinary history, is recognized globally and has a critical role to play in the region’s future growth,” McLaughlin said.
Groupe ADP, which runs Paris’s Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY) and Le Bourget (LBG) airports, reported consolidated first-quarter revenue increased 12.2% versus the March period to €1.49 billion ($1.69 billion). Aeronautical revenue was up €33 year-over-year, “driven by the traffic growth in Paris (plus 4.5% year-over-year) and the increase in airport fees,” ADP said. Retail and services saw revenue rise by €63 million compared to the 2024 March quarter, “benefiting from international traffic growth,” the airport operator said. ADP Chairman and CEO Philippe Pascal added, "The first quarter of 2025 has been marked by good momentum in all our activities both in Paris and abroad.”
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will raise automobile parking rates significantly from May 1, saying the change is necessary after rates remained stagnant for eight years. “The rate change applies to all parking facilities, including hourly, daily and economy options,” ATL said. For example, international hourly parking will have a per-day maximum of $75 after the first day, up from a daily maximum of $36 currently. The hourly rate in the international lot will more than triple from $3 to $10. Economy lots will see daily charges rise from $14 to $20. “Since the last adjustment eight years ago, the consumer price index for the Atlanta metropolitan area has risen approximately 30%,” ATL said. “At the same time, ATL has seen significant increases in parking-related operational costs and has taken on new debt to construct and modernize parking infrastructure. Annual debt service alone is projected to reach $25.5 million in fiscal year 2025 and increase substantially over the coming decade.” ATL General Manager Ricky Smith added the parking rates increase “is a necessary step” that “allows us to invest in infrastructure that supports our efforts to enhance the customers’ experience while remaining competitive with comparable airports and private off-site parking providers.”
Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) in Finland will spend €3 million ($3.4 million) on an extension to its passenger terminal, with work beginning this month and concluding in November, according to Finavia, which runs the airport. “The new extension will be located in front of the airport and will increase the size of the airport’s departures hall by almost 1,000 m2 [10,760 ft.2]," Finavia said. Construction work will not affect air traffic operations, Finavia added. RVN is the second-busiest airport in Finland, handling 948,000 passengers in 2024, up 29% year-over-year.
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