Heathrow passenger numbers dip as demand for worldwide journey ebbs amid Iran conflict fallout | Heathrow airport

The variety of passengers flying from London Heathrow fell final month, as conflict within the Middle East weighed on demand for worldwide journey.

About 6.7 million individuals flew by means of the airport in April, a 5% drop in contrast with the identical interval in 2025 and its largest annual fall since March final yr.

The fall mirrored the impression from the Iran battle and “short-term adjustments to travel plans”, the airport stated.

However, the variety of switch passengers transiting for onward flights rose 10% in April year-on-year, as travellers rerouting to Asia and Oceania switched to the Heathrow as an alternative of utilizing rival hubs within the Gulf reminiscent of Dubai and Doha.

The US-Israeli conflict on Iran has triggered journey disruption all over the world, with flight cancellations, delays and longer journey occasions.

Meanwhile, fears are rising that the oil disaster ensuing from the blockade of Gulf tanker delivery within the strait of Hormuz might result in gasoline shortages this summer time and better ticket costs.

The chief government of Heathrow, Thomas Woldbye, stated journey demand “remains strong” and “current fuel supplies stable”. He added that whereas passenger numbers in April had been weaker in contrast with the identical month in 2025, thus far it had been the busiest month on the airport this yr.

However, Heathrow stated it might overview and replace its passenger forecast for 2026 subsequent month. Its newest estimate had prompt there could be 85 million passing by means of this yr.

The trade faces rising uncertainty over jet gasoline provide, with costs averaging $181 a barrel within the week as much as 1 May, in keeping with the International Airport Transport Association, roughly double the common worth final yr. Prices have risen as a result of efficient closure of the strait of Hormuz. More than a fifth of the world’s oil usually makes use of the channel.

Last week, the proprietor of British Airways stated it might attempt to recoup most of a €2bn (£1.7bn) hit in gasoline prices this yr by means of “revenue and cost management actions”, with fares prone to rise.

Fears over gasoline shortages have additionally been compounded by airways within the UK efficiently lobbying for the flexibility to cancel extra flights with out risking invaluable airport slots.

However, some studies recommend that some airways are starting to chop costs for summer time flights to attempt to stop a delay in bookings.

Analysis by the Financial Times discovered that air fares for a week-long journey in July dropped for 27 of the highest 50 European flight routes to the Mediterranean between 9 April and 6 May.