New research by Frontier Economics has identified the UK airports most likely to benefit from new or restored connections to Heathrow, when additional airport capacity is delivered by a third runway.
Follow Aeronews on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok
The analysis highlights Belfast International, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Leeds Bradford Airport, Liverpool John Lennon and Teesside International Airport as the strongest candidates for new domestic links to the UK’s hub airport, based on clear evidence of underlying demand.
New domestic connections would strengthen connectivity between the UK’s nations and regions and global markets, facilitating trade, tourism and investment from the North York Moors, accessible via Teesside, to Belfast’s growing screen and cultural industries.
Heathrow already plays a critical role in connecting the UK. Almost 5 million passengers travelled on Heathrow’s 13 domestic routes in 2025, supporting an estimated £1.2bn in gross tourism spending across the UK. These connections are essential for many communities, helping to support jobs, attract visitors and link local economies to international opportunities in less connected parts of the UK.
For the last 20 years, Heathrow has been operating at capacity, with airlines often prioritising the use of limited slots for long haul destinations. As a result, domestic connections have been lost, with passengers relying on indirect routes via overseas hubs, offshoring the benefits of connectivity away from the UK
New domestic links, alongside strengthened existing services, could deliver substantial economic benefits. If these top five routes were introduced and operated 5 days a week, the combined impact could be significant, generating around £335 million in additional tourism spending and supporting thousands of jobs in the UK’s tourism and hospitality sector.
That’s why regional airports and businesses support this Government’s backing of Heathrow expansion and urge the project to be progressed as fast as possible, to unlock the benefits for the nations and regions of the UK.