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Fuel shortages, engine trouble and other technical problems have led to hundreds of aircraft making forced landings at Heathrow over the past five years.
More than one incident has been recorded for each week since 2009, The Times reported on Saturday, quoting Civil Aviation Authority figures.
Opponents of Heathrow expansion say the figures show why plans to raise capacity at the UK’s only hub airport should be shelved.
Fifty one aircraft were forced to land at Heathrow because of engine problems, fuel shortages or other technical difficulties last year.
Forty incidents were recorded in 2012, 54 in 2011, 66 in 2010 and 55 in 2009 – 266 in total.
The figures were disclosed by transport minister Robert Goodwill in response to a written parliamentary question tabled by anti-Heathrow expansion campaigner Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park, the newspaper reported.
The CAA said the proportion of incidents at Heathrow was higher than at other airports because it was so busy the total number was far higher.
Heathrow handles up to 480,000 flights a year and a third runway would lead to 740,000.