The number of passengers flying from London Heathrow fell in April, as the US-Israeli war on Iran weighed on demand for international travel. About 6.7 million people passed through the airport, a 5% drop compared with the same period in 2025, marking the biggest annual decline since March last year.
Impact of the Iran Conflict
The airport attributed the fall to the Iran conflict and short-term adjustments to travel plans. However, transfer passengers transiting for onward flights rose 10% year-on-year, as travelers rerouting to Asia and Oceania chose Heathrow over rival Gulf hubs like Dubai and Doha.
Fuel Supply Concerns
The war has triggered global travel disruption, including flight cancellations, delays, and longer journey times. Fears are mounting that the oil crisis from the blockade of Gulf tanker shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to fuel shortages this summer and higher ticket prices. Jet fuel prices averaged $181 a barrel in the week to 1 May, roughly double the average last year, due to the effective closure of the strait, which normally handles over a fifth of the world's oil.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said travel demand remains strong and current fuel supplies are stable, though April numbers were weaker than the same month in 2025. He noted it was still the busiest month at the airport this year. Heathrow will review its 2026 passenger forecast next month; its latest estimate projected 85 million passengers this year.
Airline Responses
The owner of British Airways said it would try to recoup most of a €2bn hit in fuel costs through revenue and cost management actions, likely leading to higher fares. UK airlines have successfully lobbied for the ability to cancel more flights without losing valuable airport slots. Some airlines are cutting prices for summer flights to prevent a delay in bookings. An analysis by the Financial Times found that air fares for a week-long trip in July dropped between 9 April and 6 May for 27 of the top 50 European flight routes to the Mediterranean.
