Heathrow traffic adversely impacted by Middle East conflict

London’s Heathrow Airport experienced a 5% decline in passenger numbers in April, which it attributes to the ongoing impact of the conflict in the Middle East on some markets and short-term adjustments to travel plans.

The airport handled 6.7 million passengers, 38,496 aircraft movements (-4.6%) and 129,912 tonnes of cargo (+1%) during the month.

However, the UK hub notes that underlying demand remains resilient, with strong transfer passenger demand continuing into April with a 10% increase year on year, as passengers reroute and benefit from Heathrow’s connectivity to Asia and Oceania.

In light of the Middle East conflict, Heathrow says it its 2026 passenger forecast will be reviewed and updated in June.

CEO, Thomas Woldbye, said: “We know passengers want certainty when planning their hard-earned summer holidays, so we are supporting government and airlines as they work through their plans to get passengers on their journeys.

“While we have seen some short‑term disruption linked to the Middle East conflict, demand for travel remains strong with current fuel supplies stable. April was still our busiest month so far this year, underlining the strength of a global hub airport that can adapt quickly in times of uncertainty.”