• New research identifies Belfast International, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Leeds Bradford Airport, Liverpool John Lennon and Teesside International Airport as most likely to gain Heathrow connections through expansion
• New links could unlock £335m in additional gross tourism spend, boosting trade, investment and jobs. This builds on the estimated £1.2bn in gross tourism spending across the UK from travellers supported by current Heathrow domestic routes
• Regional airports and businesses support this Government’s backing of Heathrow expansion and urge the project to be progressed as fast as possible
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.
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. (....)