Heathrow passenger numbers down 5.3pc in April

(Sharecast News) - Heathrow Airport announced on ​Monday that passenger numbers ‌had fallen 5.3% to 6.7m in April as the US and Israel's conflict with Iran ​disrupted travel plans, ​with traffic from the Middle ⁠East slumping more than ​50%.

Heathrow, the UK's largest airport by passenger traffic, said transfer ​passenger numbers rose 10% as travellers rerouted via London. However, it previously warned that full-year passenger ​numbers were still likely to be impacted by the conflict, ‌despite ⁠absorbing displaced demand following airspace closures in the region.

Heathrow will review and update ​its full-year ​passenger ⁠guidance in June "in light of the Middle East conflict", with chief executive Thomas ​Woldbye stating ⁠the unrest would only cause a "short-term disruption" and would not impact "resilient" ⁠underlying ​demand.

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."

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com