Economy and society

A hub airport provides direct air links to both international and domestic destinations - supporting economic growth by providing opportunity for increased levels of commerce, tourism and employment.

As the UK’s only international hub airport, Heathrow supports flights that connect British businesses with growing international markets; serving 75 direct destinations worldwide and handling more than 80% of all long haul passengers that come to the UK.

As well as its wider contribution to the UK’s connectivity and economic growth, Heathrow itself directly employs 76,500 people across more than 300 companies, making it one of the largest single-site employers in the UK. Taking into account the hotel, catering and transport companies based at Heathrow, there are a total of 114,000 direct and indirect jobs at the airport which form 22% of all the jobs in the local area.

Heathrow is committed to enhancing the economic and social benefits that the airport provides, while minimising its impact on local communities and the environment.  Heathrow invests in the economic prosperity of the local communities of Ealing, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Slough and Spelthorne.  We work with local stakeholders and understand the barriers to local economic growth to be in the areas of education, employment, skills and business growth.  We have a portfolio of programmes that offer opportunities for local people and companies to access the economic growth a hub airport can stimulate.

Enhancing economic and social benefits