The London taxi trade continues ‘STRONG RECOVERY’ at Heathrow Airport despite Elizabeth Line opening

The taxi industry’s ‘STRONG RECOVERY’ at Heathrow Airport has continued with no adverse effects felt since the introduction of the Elizabeth Line, reports Transport for London (TfL).

There were initial fears from both the trade and the regulators that the opening of the Elizabeth Line could decimate taxi work levels at Heathrow Airport. However, in June 2022 the airport recorded the highest number of taxi movements through the feeder park since 2010, thanks partly to the number of flight cancellations and high levels of disruption at the airport.

In Spring 2022, members of the TfL Finance Committee discussed the potential impact of the newly opened Elizabeth line on taxi drivers at Heathrow Airport.

In a fresh TfL report for the Finance Committee, it reads: “An update on the potential impact on taxi drivers at Heathrow Airport following the opening of the Elizabeth line was provided to the Committee in October 2022. A further update was requested for this meeting.

“As reported in October, there has been a strong recovery in demand for taxis at the airport. To date there have not been any reported decreases in the demand for taxis as a result of the Elizabeth line opening, and last year was the busiest year in terms of taxi movements through the feeder park since figures started being recorded in 2010.”