LONDON, July 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - London's Heathrow Airport on Friday said it 
plans to invest o10 billion ($14 billion) over the next five years in 
upgrades to boost passenger numbers, largely funded by higher charges to 
airlines.

A statement said the plans, which are subject to approval by the UK's Civil 
Aviation Authority (CAA), would add an additional 10 million passengers per 
year by 2031 at Europe's busiest airport.

Of the o10 billion, o2 billion will come from shareholders, while the 
remainder will be financed through higher charges paid by airlines -- costs 
that are often passed on to passengers.

Heathrow said it plans to increase the fee levied on airlines to an average 
of o33.26 per passenger.

The CAA, which first needs to agree the plans, has previously asked Heathrow 
to reduce fees charged to carriers.

"This major infrastructure programme marks Heathrow's most significant 
transformation in over a decade," said chief executive Thomas Woldbye.

"To compete with global hubs, we must invest," he added.

Heathrow said the upgrades would include faster security and baggage 
handling, as well as new lounges, shops and restaurants within existing 
terminals.

Separately, Heathrow recently won UK government backing to build a third 
runway as it suffers from stretched capacity.

Building that new runway will involve sizeable costs and likely trigger fresh 
upheaval as environmentalists oppose its construction.