The UK Civil Aviation Authority has released its Initial Proposals for the maximum fees Heathrow Airport Limited can charge airlines during the H8 regulatory period, spanning January 2027 to December 2031. The proposed cap on airport charges ranges from £27.20 to £30.50 per passenger, with a mid-point of £28.80. This figure is 16% lower than Heathrow’s forecast but 25% higher than the airlines’ suggested charges.

The proposals aim to balance fair passenger pricing with the need for Heathrow to invest in service improvements and environmental performance. Heathrow plans to invest significantly in enhancing airport resilience and consumer services, such as baggage handling and security.

Selina Chadha, Group Director of Consumer and Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, stated, “Our primary duty is to protect consumers and at the heart of today’s proposals is doing the right thing for passengers using Heathrow airport, whilst supporting sustainable growth, investment, and efficiency.”

The final proposals for the H8 price control will be published in November 2026, with a Final Decision expected in April 2027. The multi-year price caps are designed to allow Heathrow to recover efficient costs whilst incentivising cost-effective investment. The proposals are separate from ongoing efforts to support capacity expansion at Heathrow.