The airport continues to manage daily passenger numbers amidst staffing shortages and increased travel demand.
Heathrow Airport has announced it will maintain its cap on daily passenger departures until the end of October in an effort to manage the rising demand during the peak travel season. The airport, one of the busiest in Europe, will restrict departures to a maximum of 100,000 passengers per day until October 29, a measure originally planned to end on September 11.
This temporary cap, first introduced in July, was implemented due to the airport’s inability to cope with the volume of passengers in the absence of enough ground staff. As part of the restrictions, airlines were instructed to halt ticket sales during the summer months to prevent further overcrowding.
Heathrow has noted that the cap has led to fewer last-minute cancellations and shorter baggage collection times for passengers. The airport also mentioned that the cap would be reassessed and could potentially be lifted sooner if staffing levels improve and the situation stabilises.
In recent months, numerous flights in and out of Heathrow have been cancelled, with passengers experiencing long waits at security, lost luggage, and significant delays. The surge in travel demand following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions has put significant strain on European airports and airlines, many of which had reduced their workforce during the pandemic.
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Pic of the week: Sunset at margate beach
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields
The first day’s journey was through the pink fields