Heathrow handles £293bn goods in 2025, leads UK trade by value

Heathrow Airport handled £293 billion worth of goods in 2025, reinforcing its position as the UK’s largest port by value.

More than 1.59 million tonnes of cargo moved through the airport during the year, accounting for over a quarter of the UK’s total trade by value. The figures highlight Heathrow’s central role in global trade flows.

Imports through the airport reached around £166 billion, including fresh food, medicines and electronics. Exports totalled approximately £127 billion, covering a wide range of goods such as food products and luxury items.

The data also showed that around 75% of all UK air cargo by value passes through Heathrow. In addition, more than 90% of the airport’s trade by value is with non-EU countries, underlining its importance in connecting the UK to international markets.

Commenting on the figures, James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow, said the airport continues to play a key role in supporting exporters, manufacturers and supply chains across the country.

Cargo volumes at Heathrow declined in March 2026 as disruptions in the Middle East affected global air cargo flows.

The airport handled 134,648 metric tonnes of cargo during the month, down 6.6% compared with the same period last year.

The sharpest decline was seen in traffic to and from the Middle East, where volumes fell by more than 50% , following airspace closures in the region that affected cargo movement on key routes.

Despite the decline, Heathrow reported growth in cargo volumes on routes to Asia-Pacific, which partly offset the overall drop.

The airport said it continues to monitor the situation closely, while broader operations and supply chains, including fuel supply, have remained stable.