Passenger numbers flying through Heathrow are just 2 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, as travel continues to recover.
Europe's busiest airport revealed that 6.1 million travelers flew in and out of its terminals in November – just down from the 6.2 million who flew in the same month of 2019.
Heathrow has experienced steady growth since global travel restrictions were lifted, with an increasing number of people heading abroad.
But the latest figures come as speculation mounts that Saudi Arabia's investment fund may want to take majority control of west London airport after taking a 10 percent stake in the group last month.
Sources suggest that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in talks with other Heathrow shareholders who are considering selling their shares.
Everyone on board: Heathrow revealed that 6.1 million travelers flew in and out of its terminals in November – just down from the 6.2 million who flew in the same month of 2019
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which owns Newcastle United FC, agreed to pay £1 billion to Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial for an initial stake in the group. Ferrovial also sold a 15 percent stake to French buyout group Ardian.
Heathrow's remaining shareholders are sovereign wealth funds from Qatar, China and Singapore, and pension funds from Quebec, Australia and the UK's Universities Superannuation Scheme. Saudi Arabia continues to expand its travel portfolio.
Heathrow carried 72 million passengers in the first eleven months of the year, an increase of 30 percent compared to the same period last year.
Business has been boosted by major festivities, including a surge of travelers to North America last month for Thanksgiving.
On November 17, the last Friday before the bank holiday, more than 50,000 passengers flew from Heathrow across the Atlantic Ocean. Diwali also brought a surge in travel to India.
Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow, said: 'For so many, holidays and cultural festivities are all about spending quality time with friends and family.
“Last month, passengers traveled to celebrate Thanksgiving and Diwali with their loved ones, and we are making final preparations for the Christmas outing.”
Heathrow expects around 6.5 million passengers to travel through the airport this month as the festive season is in full swing.
This would be a 10 percent increase on the 5.9 million travelers who departed in December 2022, but still behind the 6.7 million who flew in the 2019 holiday rush before the pandemic struck.