Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 13, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 13, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleHeathrow Airport warns of an uncertain outlook in the coming months amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, noting that while global supply chains—particularly around fuel—are strained, current airport operations remain unaffected.
April 13 (Reuters) - Heathrow Airport forecast an uncertain few months ahead as capacity constraints crimp its ability to benefit from a shift in global aviation patterns resulting from the Iran war, https://www.reuters.com/world/iran/ with the west London hub saying its growth lagged European competitors as runway slots remain full.
The UK's biggest airport handled 6.6 million passengers in March, up nearly 7% from a year earlier, as it redirected traffic flows to cope with airspace closures across the Middle East.
"We're doing everything we can to support airlines and passengers as travel trends shift during the Middle East crisis," said Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye. "While Heathrow's long-haul network absorbed demand in March, the outlook for the next few months remains uncertain."
The UK government approved plans for a third runway nL8N3X10EO at the airport last year, but with the broader planning process expected to drag on for years, it is not expected to be operational until at least 2035.
Heathrow warned nL8N3ZL0T4 in February that Istanbul will overtake it as Europe's busiest hub this year or the next as it works with two runways compared with Istanbul's five.
Heathrow said Middle East routes plunged 51.1% while Asia-Pacific and Africa traffic rose 31.1% and 23.3% respectively, with the number of transfer passengers jumping 10% as travellers rerouted their journeys.
British Airways, the UK's flag carrier and highest-grossing airline, said last week it would cut flights to the Middle East nL6N40S0P0 when services resume, while adding capacity to India and Africa.
Heathrow said the conflict's knock-on impacts to global supply chains, including fuel, have not affected its operations.
(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala, Kirsten Donovan)
Heathrow reports that the Middle East conflict has not impacted global supply chains, including fuel, for the airport so far.
The article mentions that operational impacts, particularly in terms of global supply chains and fuel, have not been felt.
The outlook was reported by Yamini Kalia and edited by Mrigank Dhaniwala.
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