December flight figures spotlight record-breaking Christmas Day

Traditionally the quietest day of the year, 25 December 2025 was the busiest Christmas Day on record for air traffic with 2,574 flights. 

Traffic figures for the month of December saw an increase of 5.2% versus the previous year, with 190,464 flights compared to 181,015 in December 2024 – equivalent to an average of 6,144 flights per day.  

Non-Transatlantic Overflights (flights that enter UK airspace but do not stop at UK airports) had the biggest increase in growth, up by 21% in the month.  

In December, NATS handled 24% of all European traffic and was attributable for just 2% of all delay, excluding weather disruption.  

Weather disruption throughout December significantly impacted flight punctuality, with the majority of delayed flights delayed because of adverse weather conditions.  

Kathryn Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, said: “Our operations had a very busy December and followed the trend of year-on-year growth. I’m immensely grateful to all colleagues who worked tirelessly across the holiday period, while getting passengers and people celebrating the festivities with families and friends to their destinations.”