The airport said on Wednesday (11 January) that there was "no scientific basis" for the reintroduction of a pre-departure testing requirement for Chinese arrivals after the country reopened its borders on Sunday (8 January).

Chinese arrivals into Heathrow, specifically, are subject to enhanced surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency, which is conducting random Covid tests – albeit on a voluntary basis – to screen for new variants of Covid-19 which may have evolved in China during its strict border closure.

"We are concerned that the recovery of the aviation sector, which is critical to the economy, could be set back by the reintroduction of testing for travellers in the UK and elsewhere in response to increasing Covid levels in China, even though governments acknowledge there is no scientific basis for doing so," said Heathrow.

Both the World Health Organization and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have questioned the rush to introduce testing requirements on travellers from China, highlighting how travel curbs have, to date, had a limited effect on the spread of Covid.

More than 5.9 million people travelled through Heathrow in December, up 90% year-on-year; transatlantic travel was "a key driver", said Heathrow, with New York JFK proving its busiest route over the festive season.

This was despite six full days of Border Force strikes over 23-26 December and 28-31 December. Heathrow said forward planning and close collaboration with partners ensured "a smooth and efficient service" during the getaway, with 92% of passengers clearing security in under 10 minutes during the Christmas peak.

In the 2022 calendar year, Heathrow welcomed 61.6 million passengers – around three-quarters of 2019 levels and 42.2 million more than in 2021.

Chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “2022 ended on a high with our busiest Christmas in three years and a smooth and efficient service for passengers, thanks to the hard work of our colleagues and close planning with airlines, their ground handlers and Border Force."