Heathrow Airport reveals new £1.3billion upgrade plans including better terminals, fewer delays and faster baggage
LONDON Heathrow will undergo a series of developments next year starting with Terminal 2 and 4.
It will improve the passenger experience by using AI-technology and has plans to make flights more punctual along with better baggage facilities.
This morning, Heathrow Airport revealed it will start upgrading Terminal 4 next year costing £1.3billion.
The first step will be building a new multi-storey car park and upgrading its check-in area.
The works will be phased to ensure that there’s no disruption to the running of Terminal 4 – and these are expected to be completed in 2031.
Over in Terminal 2, Heathrow has announced that work will also begin on a new baggage system that will be able to handle 31,000 bags each day.
In order to speed up flights and improve punctuality, it will install AI-powered turnaround tech.
This will involve a network of cameras being installed across Heathrow.
Using AI to analyse data, the airport will speed up turnaround times between flights, which will make journeys more punctual.
Coverage is expected to be across all terminals by the end of 2026.
Other upgrades will be to accessibility, which will have dedicated access to security for the first time.
Alongside new mobility equipment, Heathrow is investing in upgrades to assistance areas across the airport.
There will be a purpose-built assistance area and the UK’s first Tailored Travel Guide.
Passengers with various access needs can input their travel details and get a personalised step-by-step guide to navigate the airport.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “Passengers should expect that every time they travel through Heathrow their journey is better than the last.”
He added: “I’m excited to unveil next year’s programme which will make Heathrow more user-friendly, more efficient and more resilient for our customers.
“This investment will flow directly into our nationwide supply chain helping to drive economic growth whilst we make Heathrow even better and more efficient for our customers.”
The upgrades made in December 2025 are part of Heathrow’s current five-year investment plan.
Previously, Heathrow Airport announced its plan for a £49billion overhaul.
This includes increased passenger capacity at Terminal 5 with the number of aircraft stands set to rise.
It will open a number of new lounges, shops and restaurants within the existing terminals.
And to increase flights, it also hopes to build a third runway which will involve moving part of the M25.
This major airport could become the second biggest in the UK ahead of huge expansion plans…
A plan to expand one UK airport has been approved – meaning it could become the second busiest in the country.
In 2024, the airport saw almost 30million passengers, but with the new plans could see 20million more.
The airport in question is London Stansted in Essex which has plans for more flights, but no structural changes.
London Stansted could rise to become the UK’s second busiest airport, rather than the fourth, after councillors agreed to increase its annual passenger numbers to 51million.
The owner, Manchester Airports Group’s, latest plan is to increase passenger capacity at the airport to between 48 and 51million people per year by 2040.
In comparison, London Gatwick sees between 40 to 43million passengers each year.
While you might think that the airport would need an additional runway, there are no plans to build one.
There won’t be a second runway, or exceed the airport’s limit of 274,000 flights a year.
The way it will increase its passengers is by accommodating larger planes.
On December 17, 2025, Uttlesford District Council’s Planning Committee ruled in favour of the application.
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