Heathrow Airport bosses have met worshippers at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, to acknowledge the airport’s dependence on the area’s Sikh community and to discuss its future expansion.
Last week’s visit (9 September 2025), organised by the pro-expansion campaign group Back Heathrow, brought senior airport staff to meet the local community.
Parmjit Dhanda, Back Heathrow’s executive director, told the gathering: “The success of Heathrow is in no small part due to the people who worship here and their families. They came here to work and have made this airport the national success story it is today. We are delighted to bring senior Heathrow staff to meet members of the congregation, share food and ideas about the future growth of Heathrow Airport, and what it can do for them.”
Becky Coffin, Heathrow’s communities and sustainability director, said: “The community here not only benefits from the huge number of jobs linked to the airport, but Heathrow itself couldn’t function without the hard work of thousands of local people from this local community. I’m very grateful to the Gurdwara committee and the volunteers of the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara – I am sure this relationship will continue to grow.”
During a Q&A session, chaired by Navraj Singh, members of the congregation raised interest in the Heathrow Academy, which offers training and apprenticeships. Mr Singh said: “Our community has helped to build our airport and we want our kids to have the very best opportunities there in the future.”
The meeting ended with a communal meal and a tour of the prayer hall.
