Here are the recent changes at Heathrow Airport that affect how you travel, from new routes and price changes to construction and security rules. This page was last updated in August 2026. It covers what has changed, not today's live status.
Checking live delays and departures today
For today's delays, cancellations and live departure boards, check the official Heathrow Airport website and your airline app, or a flight tracker such as Flightradar24. This page tracks the changes that stick, not minute-by-minute status.
Travel alerts and recent disruption
- 21 March 2025 A fire at the North Hyde electrical substation near Hayes caused a major power outage that shut Heathrow for around 18 hours, disrupting more than 1,300 flights and about 200,000 passengers. The airport reopened and returned to full operations the following day; the Metropolitan Police counter-terrorism command led the initial investigation and found no evidence of foul play. (source)
Security rule changes
- 23 January 2026 Heathrow removed the 100ml cabin liquids limit across all four terminals after a £1bn upgrade to next-generation CT security scanners. Passengers may now carry containers up to 2 litres and can leave liquids and laptops/tablets inside their bags; the clear plastic bag requirement is gone. Note many other airports still enforce the old 100ml rule. (source)
Construction / expansion
- 29 July 2026 Airlines and passengers face higher charges to fund early costs of Heathrow's expansion. The Civil Aviation Authority capped recovery of early planning and design costs at £320m for 2025 to 2026, with costs expected to be spread across passengers over 20 to 25 years. (source)
- 15 January 2026 Heathrow greenlit pre-planning design work on its third runway planning application, as critical 2026 regulatory milestones approach (draft Airports National Policy Statement expected over the summer; CAA to decide the long-term regulatory model). (source)
- 2025 (ongoing) Heathrow's expansion programme centres on a third runway plus terminal works, with the government targeting around 45 million additional passengers a year. Two rival bids exist: the airport's owners propose a full-length 3,500m runway, while Arora Group backs a shorter 2,800m alternative. (source)
New routes / airlines
- Summer 2026 New Heathrow services announced for the summer season include Rome and Seattle, plus connections to St Louis, Seville, Tivat, Guernsey, Islamabad and Lahore. (source)
Parking, drop-off and fares
- 1 January 2026 Heathrow raised its terminal Drop-Off Charge from £6 to £7 per visit and introduced a strict 10-minute maximum stay at all terminal forecourts (T2, T3, T4, T5). Unpaid drop-offs trigger a Parking Charge Notice of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 14 days). (source)
Passenger records / milestones
- Full year 2025 Heathrow set an all-time record of 84.5 million passengers, its busiest year ever and Europe's busiest hub. 1 August 2025 was its busiest-ever single day at around 270,000 travellers, and December 2025 was its busiest December at 7.2m. The airport forecasts around 85m passengers in 2026 with a £1.3bn investment programme. (source)
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Last verified August 2026 by the Heathrow Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Heathrow Airport website before you travel.