Heathrow's Terminal 4 has seen a significant drop in passenger numbers, with one in three travellers lost since the US-Israeli attack on Iran on 28 February, according to analysis by The Independent. The terminal, which primarily serves Middle Eastern destinations, has been hit hard by cancellations from airlines including Qatar Airways, Etihad, Gulf Air, and Kuwait Airways.
The cancellations are affecting around 9,000 passengers per day, though Heathrow insists the decline is not as severe. The departure screens show a 90-minute gap with no departures in the middle of the day, an unusual lull for the airport.
Terminal 4 opened in 1986 as a temporary facility during the planning inquiry for Terminal 5. Its location south of the southern runway makes onward connections difficult, and it has become more of a point-to-point terminal. Public transport has historically been problematic, though the Elizabeth line now offers four trains per hour to central London.
Other airlines serving T4 include Air France, KLM, and Vueling. The terminal was designed for easy access to departure gates, making it suitable for budget airlines like easyJet, but the carrier is unlikely to move in until a third runway is built.
The current situation echoes the Covid pandemic, when T4 was closed for two years. While a protracted Middle East conflict could conceivably lead to a similar closure, Heathrow says this is not an option.
