UK’s Heathrow Airport warns of uncertainty over Middle East conflict impact

London’s Heathrow Airport has warned of uncertain months ahead as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to affect global aviation conditions, according to foreign media.

The airport said, however, that disruptions in global supply chains, including fuel, have so far not impacted its operational performance.

Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, reported handling 6.6 million passengers in March — nearly 7% more than a year earlier. The increase was partly driven by passenger rerouting due to airspace closures in conflict zones, although growth lagged behind several European competitors.

Chief Executive Thomas ⁠Woldbye said long-haul routes had helped sustain demand, but the outlook for the coming months remains uncertain.

According to Heathrow, flights to the Middle East have fallen by more than 50%, while passenger traffic to the Asia-Pacific region and Africa has increased. The number of transit passengers choosing alternative routes avoiding the conflict zone has also risen.

By Jeyhun Aghazada