New trade data provided by the Government has shown that Heathrow handled 293 billion GBP worth of goods in 2025 – over a quarter of all UK trade by value.
More than 1.59 million tonnes of cargo passed through the airport across these trade flows, the weight equivalent of around 265,000 elephants or more than 130,000 double-decker buses.
London Heathrow Airport
© London Heathrow Airport
The data highlights the importance of Heathrow’s role within the country’s economy, with its network enabling the rapid movement of high-value, time-sensitive goods into the UK with around 166 million GBP billion worth of goods arriving at the airport in 2025.
Around 127 billion GBP worth of goods were exported from the airport in 2025, including goods that require air travel in order to stay fresh for customers – such as popcorn and bakery products.
James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow, said:
This data shows how vital the airport is to exporters, manufacturers and supply chains across the country.
From life-saving medicines coming into the country to exporting fresh British produce such as popcorn and biscuits, Heathrow, working in partnership with our cargo community, enables the swift movement of goods around the world.
Heathrow expansion will ensure the UK has the capacity it needs to continue to grow trade links, support jobs and supply chains, and remain competitive in the global economy.
More than 90% of the airport’s trade by value is with non-EU countries, and Government data suggests that Heathrow dominates the UK’s overall air cargo sector, with around 75% of all UK air cargo by value moving through the airport.
James Golding, Head of Cargo and Airline Partnerships at Heathrow, said:
This data shows how vital the airport is to exporters, manufacturers and supply chains across the country.
From life-saving medicines coming into the country to exporting fresh British produce such as popcorn and biscuits, Heathrow, working in partnership with our cargo community, enables the swift movement of goods around the world.
Heathrow expansion will ensure the UK has the capacity it needs to continue to grow trade links, support jobs and supply chains, and remain competitive in the global economy.
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