The number of passengers travelling through London Heathrow fell last month as the conflict in the Middle East dampened demand for international travel. Approximately 6.7 million people used the airport in April, representing a 5% decline compared to the same period in 2025 and the largest annual drop since March last year.
Impact of the Iran Conflict
The airport attributed the fall to the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and what it described as short-term adjustments to travel plans. However, the number of transfer passengers connecting to onward flights rose by 10% in April year-on-year, as travellers rerouting to Asia and Oceania chose Heathrow over rival hubs in the Gulf, such as Dubai and Doha.
Fuel Supply Concerns
The conflict has triggered widespread travel disruption globally, including flight cancellations, delays, and longer journey times. Meanwhile, fears are mounting that the oil crisis resulting from the blockade of Gulf tanker shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to fuel shortages this summer and higher ticket prices.
Heathrow's chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, stated that travel demand remains strong and current fuel supplies are stable. He noted that while April passenger numbers were weaker than the same month in 2025, it was still the busiest month at the airport so far this year. However, Heathrow said it would review and update its passenger forecast for 2026 next month. Its latest estimate had suggested 85 million passengers would pass through this year.
The aviation industry faces growing uncertainty over jet fuel supply, with prices averaging $181 a barrel in the week up to 1 May, according to the International Air Transport Association. This is roughly double the average price last year. Prices have risen due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than a fifth of the world's oil normally passes.
Last week, the owner of British Airways announced it would try to recoup most of a €2bn (£1.7bn) hit in fuel costs this year through revenue and cost management actions, with fares likely to rise. Fears over fuel shortages have also been compounded by UK airlines successfully lobbying for the ability to cancel more flights without risking valuable airport slots.
Despite these pressures, some reports suggest airlines are beginning to cut prices for summer flights to prevent a delay in bookings. 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.
