UK airports at a glance
Passenger figures from the airport operators, with year and publisher.
How do you plan airport advertising in the United Kingdom?
Decide which airports and terminals matter to your brand, who you need to reach, the campaign objective, dates, preferred formats and budget. Then compare named advertising sites by terminal, passenger zone, share of display, artwork rules, local charges and the proof the media owner provides after the campaign.
UK airports by audience
Start with the airport and terminal closest to your customer journey. The final shortlist is built from current passenger information and confirmed inventory.
| Goal | Airport examples | Planning use |
|---|---|---|
| Premium long-haul and business travellers | Heathrow Terminal 5, British Airways’ main Heathrow hub | Finance, luxury, property and business services |
| Leisure and long-haul travellers | Heathrow Terminal 3, the Virgin Atlantic hub with more than 20 other airlines | Travel, technology and consumer brands |
| Arriving visitors | Baggage reclaim and arrivals areas | Hotels, tourism, retail and telecom |
| Travellers heading into London | Heathrow Express and rail-link screens | Events, hospitality and city-centre retail |
Airport advertising formats at Heathrow
6 formats are published at Heathrow, each with its rate in GBP.
Digital six-sheet and pillar
- •GBP 2,000–6,000 / 2 weeks
- •Portrait digital screens on pillars through the Heathrow terminals, booked by the two-week cycle.
Large-format digital spectacular
- •GBP 15,000–50,000+ / 2 weeks
- •The largest digital screens at Heathrow, for brand statements seen across a whole hall.
Static backlit lightbox
- •GBP 1,500–5,000 / 2 weeks
- •Printed backlit lightboxes at Heathrow, the most accessible format at the airport.
Baggage-reclaim billboard
- •GBP 3,000–10,000 / 2 weeks
- •Billboards in the Heathrow baggage reclaim halls, seen by every arriving passenger while they wait.
Full terminal domination
- •GBP 50,000–150,000+ / 2 weeks
- •One brand across a whole Heathrow terminal, combining several placements into a single package.
Heathrow Express and rail-link network
- •GBP 5,000–12,000 / 2 weeks
- •The screen network on the Heathrow Express and rail links between the airport and central London.
Airports we cover
Heathrow, one of the busiest airports in Europe and the main long-haul gateway into the UK.
Heathrow is one of Europe’s busiest airports and the main long-haul gateway into the UK.
Airport advertising in London
13.66 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in Birmingham
16.97 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in Edinburgh
8.21 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in Glasgow
42.8 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in London Gatwick
32.1 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in Manchester
More than 30 million passengers in 2025. Rates quoted per brief.
Airport advertising in London StanstedAirport advertising cost in the United Kingdom
Published 2026 benchmarks at Heathrow run from GBP 1,500 to GBP 150,000+, depending on format and period.
Indicative GBP benchmarks for 2026, media only, before production and tax. Confirmed for your dates before booking.
Get a costed site plan| Format | London Heathrow (LHR) |
|---|---|
| Digital six-sheet and pillar | GBP 2,000–6,000 / 2 weeks |
| Large-format digital spectacular | GBP 15,000–50,000+ / 2 weeks |
| Static backlit lightbox | GBP 1,500–5,000 / 2 weeks |
| Baggage-reclaim billboard | GBP 3,000–10,000 / 2 weeks |
| Full terminal domination | GBP 50,000–150,000+ / 2 weeks |
| Heathrow Express and rail-link network | GBP 5,000–12,000 / 2 weeks |
Airport advertising cost comparison
Every UK quote names the airport, terminal, zone, format and price basis in GBP, so options can be compared before sign-off.
| Goal | Charging basis | What changes the figure |
|---|---|---|
| Digital screen network | Quoted per network, period and share of display | Number of screens, terminal, loop share and campaign length |
| Backlit or static site | Quoted per site and booking period | Airport, terminal, zone, size and duration |
| Large-format wrap or landmark | Quoted per site or campaign package | Size, location, exclusivity and approval time |
| Printing and installation | Quoted as a production service | Material, dimensions, installation, removal and approvals |
| Sponsorship or domination | Quoted as a package | Included media, duration, exclusivity and production |
| VAT | 20% on the quoted amount | Shown as a separate line on the quotation |
Why UK airport advertising prices vary
The airport and terminal
Each terminal at London Heathrow differs in passenger volume, airline mix and advertising inventory, so a site is worth what it does for your audience and objective, not just the passenger count.
The zone and share of display
In the United Kingdom, departures, gates, arrivals and baggage claim reach passengers at different moments, and a dedicated site is priced differently from a digital loop shared with other advertisers.
The campaign period and format
The summer and Christmas periods are the busiest: 1 August 2025 was Heathrow’s busiest day of the year and December 2025 its busiest month on record. These periods affect demand and availability, and wraps, sponsorships and activations carry their own production and approval requirements.
Production and installation
Artwork adaptation, printing, installation and removal add to the media rate, and 20% VAT goes on top. Your quote itemises every line.
UK airport advertising, airport by airport
Each airport has its own rate basis and media owner. This is the short version.
Request a media plan for the United KingdomLondon Heathrow airport advertising
LHR84.5 million passengers in 2025, +0.7% (Heathrow, Jan 2026). Advertising is sold by JCDecaux (new 8-year contract from 1 January 2027).
Manchester airport advertising
MAN32.1 million passengers in 2025, +4% (Manchester Airport, Jan 2026). Advertising is sold by Global.
London Gatwick airport advertising
LGW42.8 million passengers in 2025, -1.1% (London Gatwick, Mar 2026). Advertising is sold by Global.
Edinburgh airport advertising
EDI16.97 million passengers in 2025, +7.5% (UK CAA, Feb 2026). Advertising is sold by JCDecaux UK.
Birmingham airport advertising
BHX13.66 million passengers in 2025, +6.3% (UK CAA, Feb 2026). Advertising is sold by Global.
Glasgow airport advertising
GLA8.21 million passengers in 2025, +1.7% (UK CAA, Feb 2026). Advertising is sold by Global.
Who advertises at UK airports
Travel and tourism
Hotels, airlines, tour operators and destination boards reach travellers while they are choosing where to stay and what to do.
Property and finance
Developers, banks and wealth managers reach business and international audiences in the calm moments of a journey.
Retail and luxury
Brands with a point of sale at or near the airport turn passenger dwell time into footfall.
Telecom and technology
Digital screens suit app installs, plan launches and product announcements that change quickly.
Automotive
Large-format and premium sites carry model launches to an affluent, mobile audience.
Government and events
Trade fairs, tourism campaigns and public information reach international visitors on arrival.
How a UK airport advertising campaign is booked
Five steps from brief to campaign record.
Start the briefDefine the airport coverage
Step 1Choose the airports and terminals to reach in the United Kingdom, as one UK plan or separate airport proposals.
Review the site and rate plan
Step 2We shortlist sites at London Heathrow and compare locations, formats and current quotations in GBP, each with its zone, period and price basis.
Confirm artwork for each site
Step 3Each design is checked against site dimensions, file specifications and the content rules of JCDecaux. Different formats get their own versions, not one design resized.
Confirm the booking
Step 4You approve the schedule, terms, production and dates. The booking is confirmed once inventory and approvals are secured with JCDecaux.
Reconcile site by site
Step 5Each booking is checked against the approved plan, with installation photographs, playback reports or another agreed record.
Why airport advertising works in the United Kingdom
LHR 84.5 million (2025) passengers. Passenger numbers show market scale, not guaranteed impressions or sales.
Access to international travellers
London Heathrow connects the United Kingdom with international and regional routes, so a brand can reach travellers in a defined place during their journey.
Visibility at every stage of the journey
Check-in, security, gates, arrivals and baggage claim are separate moments. A campaign can own one zone or carry one message across several.
Coordinated planning across airports
One brief and one artwork process can cover the airport in the United Kingdom, with inventory and approvals confirmed site by site.
Airport ad sites in United Kingdom
Published sites and formats at this airport, in local currency. Every campaign is quoted against current availability.
United Kingdom airport advertising: your questions answered
Airports, costs, artwork and timelines.
Which airports can I advertise at in the United Kingdom?
London Heathrow (LHR). Media ownership and available inventory vary by airport and are confirmed for your dates.
How much does airport advertising cost in the United Kingdom?
Published 2026 benchmarks run from GBP 1,500 for static backlit lightbox up to GBP 150,000+ for full terminal domination. Printing, installation and 20% VAT are added separately.
Who sells advertising at London Heathrow?
London Heathrow: JCDecaux, new 8-year contract from 1 January 2027. We confirm current rights and availability before any booking.
Is VAT charged on airport advertising in the United Kingdom?
Yes. 20% VAT is added to the quoted media and production amounts and shown as its own line on the quotation.
Can a campaign target one airport or terminal?
Yes. In the United Kingdom you can book one airport such as London Heathrow, a single terminal, or one passenger zone such as arrivals or departures, based on your audience, objective and budget.
What artwork information is needed before booking?
Share the preferred formats, key visual, offer, brand guidelines and any language versions. If finished artwork exists, send its dimensions and file formats so it can be checked against the selected sites. Content rules apply: UK ads are regulated under the CAP Code (UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing), enforced by the ASA.
Do peak seasons affect airport advertising?
Yes. The summer and Christmas periods are the busiest: 1 August 2025 was Heathrow’s busiest day of the year and December 2025 its busiest month on record. Confirm your dates early so the plan uses current inventory and quotes.
What does a UK airport advertising quote include?
Depending on the booking: media rental, display period, printing, installation, artwork adaptation, package inclusions and 20% VAT, itemised line by line.
How long does it take to book airport advertising in the United Kingdom?
Timing depends on inventory, JCDecaux approval, production and installation. The launch date is set once those deadlines are checked for your sites.
What proof of display do I get?
Depending on the format and media owner: installation photographs, digital playback reports or another agreed record. We confirm which one before you approve the booking.
Plan your UK airport
advertising campaign.
Share your target airports, audience, dates and budget to get a shortlist of available sites and current quotations in GBP.