(qlmbusinessnews.com . Sun 15th Feb, 2026) London, UK —
Navigating Heathrow Airport: How Pedestrian Traffic Flow Affects Terminal Congestion
Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 gives an impression of being overcrowded not due to an actual excess of passengers but rather because individuals are walking in “incorrect areas”, according to the airport's chief.
Speaking at an industry gathering, Thomas Woldbye highlighted a peculiar observation that British individuals tend to walk on the left side while Europeans prefer the right, creating unnecessary congestion. “They do this in both directions, leading to collisions, something I've witnessed myself,” he elaborated.
Despite being the busiest airport in the UK, Heathrow's ambitions for a third runway have met resistance from environmental advocates and local residents, even with governmental backing.
During his address to the Aviation Club UK, Woldbye expressed uncertainty about the project's progress. He outlined a clear vision for the expansion but pointed out the lack of modernised airspace and definitive long-term regulation essential for building a strong business case.
“We are faced with numerous tasks that need addressing this year before construction can begin,” he remarked.
Heathrow, which currently serves 84 million passengers annually, could potentially accommodate 150 million with the introduction of a third runway. While the government champions the expansion as crucial for economic growth, critics question its economic benefits and raise environmental and community disruption concerns.
In the interim, Woldbye suggested that “soft skills” could be employed for better management of passenger flow, such as addressing the walking habits of Europeans and Britons to prevent them from bumping into each other.
“We can alter this,” he asserted, proposing that directing foot traffic more effectively could alleviate some congestion issues.
“We're not only measuring actual crowding but people's perception of it. Intriguingly, Terminal 3 scores better in this regard compared to Terminal 5, which has more space. It raises the question, what are we doing wrong?” he posed.
He pointed to Terminal 3's strategy of removing seating, telephone booths, and other impediments, which, despite an increase in footfall, has led to a perception of less crowding. “It allows people to navigate more clearly, making them feel more comfortable,” Woldbye concluded, highlighting the importance of spatial management in enhancing passenger experience.
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