Heathrow is recruiting for more than 600 new frontline roles as the restart of transatlantic travel and easing of restrictions have led to “the first green shoots of recovery”.
The airport said passenger numbers are still 56% down on pre-pandemic levels but the end of the US travel ban has “revived” the hub because the transatlantic market accounts for 20% of its passenger traffic and 31% of its cargo tonnage.
The recruitment drive is beginning now to ensure that Heathrow can handle a predicted rise in passenger numbers before next summer.
It is hiring new security and engineering staff, whose jobs will be among the first frontline roles to have been created at Heathrow since the start of the pandemic.
Paula Stannett, Heathrow’s chief people officer, said: “Many of Heathrow’s security officers have gone on to have long and fulfilling careers in various parts of our airport and the wider aviation sector, so this really is a rewarding opportunity at a pivotal time for our industry.”
The airport is continuing to lobby for further easing of restrictions “to ensure a return to frictionless travel”.
It said government ministers must reassess testing requirements for fully vaccinated passengers and the need for a Passenger Locator Form, and bring the UK back in line with its European counterparts.