Preparing the airport for a changing climate
Weather patterns in the UK are changing. Heathrow is already seeing the effects through periods of extreme heat, heavy rainfall and more frequent storms.
As the UK’s global hub airport, we need to plan for these risks and manage them carefully. Climate adaptation focuses on keeping the airport operating safely and reliably while protecting passenger experience and supporting the communities around us.
We are assessing climate risks across the airport and building resilience into how we design, maintain and operate Heathrow.
Our Climate Adaptation Strategy shows how Heathrow is preparing for climate change, outlining key risks, six resilience goals and ten action areas, and the steps we are taking.
Disruption to journeys (passengers, staff and cargo) to and from Heathrow due to extreme weather events is minimised.
Asset performance for both grey and green infrastructure is maintained under a changing climate.
Critical systems remain dependable, safeguarding access to key services while maintaining the flow of goods and services as the climate changes.
Staff health and safety, productivity, and passenger experience is not affected by climate change. We contribute to mitigating flood and heat risks to surrounding communities.
Operational disruption at Heathrow due to changes in weather en route is minimised.
Our destinations reflect changing climate and passenger and cargo demand. We work with aviation stakeholders to minimise knock-on impacts from the network and changes in demand.
Heathrow’s Climate Adaptation Report (ARP4) explains climate risks facing the airport and how we’re strengthening infrastructure, operations and systems to keep services safe in more extreme weather.
