Middle East conflict causes passenger spike at Heathrow Airport
The west London hub has seen its busiest March in history.
Heathrow Airport has reported a 10% increase in transfer passengers last month due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The west London airport stated that it "temporarily absorbed demand from elsewhere," as airspace closures affected travel routes.
Airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi normally manage approximately half a million passengers per day.
These airports are critical hubs for travel between Europe, Asia, and Australia.
In March, 6.6 million passengers travelled through Heathrow's four terminals.
This marks a 6.9% increase compared to the same month last year and represents the busiest March in the airport's history.
Uncertain Outlook Ahead
Despite the spike in passenger numbers, Heathrow warned of an uncertain future due to the ongoing conflict.
The airport assured that the impact of the war on jet fuel supply has not interrupted operations.
Heathrow plans to "monitor the situation and liaise with Government and airlines to protect passengers' journeys."
Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of Heathrow, said the airport is committed to supporting airlines and passengers amid the crisis.
"While Heathrow's long-haul network absorbed demand in March, the outlook for the next few months remains uncertain," he said.
Woldbye commended his colleagues for adapting swiftly and continuing to provide excellent service during challenging times.