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London Heathrow continues to lead the world in long-haul scheduled passenger flights, with an average of 251 daily departures planned for September. This figure is up by four compared to the same month last year, according to data from Cirium Diio. The airport's high demand and limited slots contribute to its top position, and more long-haul carriers are expected to begin operations there.
Long-haul flights are defined as those covering at least 3,000 statute miles each way, a standard also used by United Airlines. Schedule analysis shows that 37% of all departures from London Heathrow in September will be long-haul, the highest proportion among European airports and higher than any other entry in the global top ten list. Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Frankfurt follow but with lower shares of long-haul traffic.
Despite its dominance in long-haul operations, British Airways accounts for only about one-third of these flights at Heathrow. The diversity of airlines operating at the airport means that several foreign carriers also play a significant role in its international network. Discussions continue over potential expansion at Heathrow, including a possible new runway, which could affect British Airways' market share if realized.
