Heathrow Airport has unveiled a whopping £1.3 billion investment project in 2026. The plans include developing Terminals 2 and 4, as well as introducing AI technology to enhance the passenger experience.

The airport, which saw a record 83.9 million passengers in 2024, is the busiest in Europe. Plans have now been confirmed to revamp Terminal 4, which will include a new multi-storey car park and an upgraded check-in area. The works are expected to be finished in 2031 and will be phased to minimise disruption until then.

The plans also include a new dedicated baggage system for Terminal 2, allowing the handling of 31,000 bags every day. The system will reduce the number of misconnected bags for passengers.

A network of AI-powered cameras will be installed across Heathrow to speed up turnaround times between flights. The airport said full coverage is expected by the end of 2026.

Other upgrades focus on improving accessibility throughout Heathrow, including a new purpose-built assistance area in Terminal 2. There will also be new mobility equipment as well as a Tailored Travel Guide which will give passengers a personalised step-by-step guide to navigate the airport.

The plans are part of Heathrow’s five-year invstment programme. The airport previously announced a £49 billion overhaul, including increased passenger capacity at Terminal 5.

Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “Passengers should expect that every time they travel through Heathrow their journey is better than the last.

“Last December, we said we’d invest in operational performance and this year we’re the most punctual hub in Europe, almost 99% of bags travelled on expected flights and 97% of security queue times were below 5 minutes, and in January, all passengers in all four terminals will benefit from going through new next generation security.”

He continued: “I’m excited to unveil next year’s programme which will make Heathrow more user-friendly, more efficient and more resilient for our customers.

“This investment will flow directly into our nationwide supply chain helping to drive economic growth whilst we make Heathrow even better and more efficient for our customers.”