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Heathrow passenger numbers fall in April as Iran war disrupts travel - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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Heathrow passenger numbers fall in April as Iran war disrupts travel

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 11, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: May 11, 2026

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Heathrow Passenger Numbers Drop in April as Iran Conflict Disrupts Travel

Impact of Middle East Conflict on Heathrow Airport Traffic

April Passenger Statistics

May 11 (Reuters) - Heathrow Airport said on Monday its passenger numbers fell 5% to 6.7 million in April as the Iran war disrupted travel plans, with traffic from the Middle East plunging more than 50%.

Changes in Transfer Passenger Numbers

Britain's biggest airport by passenger traffic said transfer passenger numbers rose 10% as travellers rerouted through London.

Absorbing Displaced Demand

However, it warned last month that full-year passenger numbers were likely to be hit, despite absorbing some displaced demand following Middle East airspace closures.

Future Outlook and Forecasts

Review of 2026 Passenger Forecast

Heathrow said it will review and update its 2026 passenger forecast in June, with Chief Executive Thomas Woldbye describing the impact the conflict as a "short-term disruption" that has not dented underlying demand.

Statement from Heathrow CEO

(Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Sumana Nandy)

Key Takeaways

  • April passenger numbers fell 5% to 6.7 million amid severe Middle East disruptions, especially over 50% decline on those routes
  • Transfer traffic grew 10% as travellers rerouted via London, highlighting Heathrow’s resilience
  • Heathrow will update its full‑year 2026 outlook in June, calling the Iran war impact “short‑term disruption”

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Heathrow passenger numbers fall in April?
Heathrow Airport's passenger numbers fell 5% in April due to travel disruptions caused by the Iran war and Middle East airspace closures.
How much did traffic from the Middle East decline at Heathrow?
Traffic from the Middle East at Heathrow Airport declined by more than 50% in April.
Did overall demand for travel at Heathrow decrease?
The CEO described the impact as a short-term disruption, stating that underlying demand at Heathrow remains strong despite recent events.
How did transfer passenger numbers change at Heathrow?
Transfer passenger numbers at Heathrow rose 10% in April as travelers rerouted through London.

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