Heathrow cargo handles £293bn trade amid Middle East disruptions
Heathrow moves £293bn goods in 2025 as Middle East airspace issues hit cargo volumes, highlighting its key trade role
Heathrow Airport handled £293 billion worth of goods in 2025, accounting for more than a quarter of the UK’s total trade by value, even as recent geopolitical disruptions weighed on cargo volumes.
According to government trade data, more than 1.59 million tonnes of cargo moved through the airport last year, reinforcing its position as the UK’s largest port by value. On average, each flight carried around £600,000 worth of goods, highlighting the high-value nature of air freight handled at the hub.
The airport plays a critical role in moving time-sensitive and high-value goods. Around £166 billion worth of imports arrived via Heathrow in 2025, including fresh food, medicines and electronics, while exports totalled about £127 billion, ranging from food products to luxury goods.
More than 90% of Heathrow’s trade by value is with non-EU countries, underlining its importance in connecting UK businesses to global markets. Government data also shows that around 75% of all UK air cargo by value moves through the airport.
However, Heathrow is operating at full capacity, and the airport has stressed that expansion will be crucial to maintain competitiveness and support future trade growth.
At the same time, cargo volumes have been affected by ongoing disruptions linked to airspace closures in the Middle East. In March 2026, total cargo handled at Heathrow fell 6.6% year on year to 134,648 metric tonnes. The sharpest decline was seen in Middle East traffic, which dropped by over 50%, while Asia-Pacific volumes recorded growth.
Despite these challenges, Heathrow said broader airport operations and global supply chains, including fuel, have remained stable, and it continues to monitor the situation closely.
Commenting on the figures, James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow, said the data highlights how vital the airport is for exporters, manufacturers and supply chains across the UK, enabling the swift movement of goods worldwide.
