London’s Heathrow Airport has declared the peak summer season under way and is offering passengers a number of cost-saving measures, including a 10% World Duty Free online discount.

More than 7 million travellers passed through the airport in June, a figure only just below pre-pandemic levels.

Heathrow said trans-Atlantic traffic was high, especially in the run-up to Independence Day. 

The biggest growth over the month came from Asia Pacific, with passenger volumes climbing 80.4% month-on-month.

Service levels were “very high” during the month, with security queue times averaging less than five minutes across all terminals. 

Changes to Border Force requirements mean that all children over 10 will now be able to use eGates, cutting queues at immigration. 

Summer 10% World Duty Free online discount

Summer discounts at the airport start with 10% off World Duty Free online orders accessed through Heathrow Reserve and Collect.

Other cost-saving initiatives include children eating free from 20 July to 3 September, and those under 15 travelling on the Heathrow Express for free.

Heathrow also noted it had struck a two-year pay deal to avert strike action.

“I am very proud of the way that everyone at Heathrow has been working together to deliver excellent service at our busiest time of year,” said outgoing Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye.  

“Summer at Heathrow is all about family holidays and we are ready to make sure yours gets off to a great start.”

Last month it was confirmed that Thomas Woldbye, currently the boss of Copenhagen Airport, will take over as Heathrow CEO later in 2023.

Woldbye emerged as the ‘standout’ candidate during the recruitment process, Heathrow’s Board said. He joins after serving as Copenhagen Airport CEO since 2011.

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown spoke at last month’s TR Consumer Forum, where he described the UK government’s decision to cull tax free shopping is “an act of economic vandalism”.