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Heathrow Passenger Drop Linked to Middle East Conflict
11 May
Summary
- Heathrow's April passenger numbers decreased by 5% to 6.7 million.
- Traffic from the Middle East experienced a significant drop exceeding 50%.
- Despite disruptions, Heathrow anticipates underlying demand remains strong.
Heathrow Airport experienced a notable decrease in passenger traffic during April, with numbers falling by 5% to 6.7 million. This decline is primarily linked to travel disruptions stemming from the ongoing Iran war, which significantly impacted routes to and from the Middle East.
Traffic originating from or destined for the Middle East saw a substantial reduction of over 50%. This has led Heathrow to adjust its expectations for full-year passenger numbers, although it is absorbing some displaced demand from other regions rerouting through London.
Despite these challenges, Heathrow's Chief Executive, Thomas Woldbye, characterized the conflict's influence as a "short-term disruption." The airport plans to review and update its 2026 passenger forecast in June, suggesting confidence in the long-term resilience of travel demand. Transfer passenger numbers saw a positive increase of 10%.
