Heathrow Tells Airlines to stop Selling Summer Tickets Amidst Struggles in Rebound Air Travel

Heathrow Airport has told airlines to stop selling summer tickets, as the UK’s biggest airport struggles to cope with the rebound in air travel.

The airport is limiting the number of passengers who can depart each day over the peak summer months to 100,000, 4,000 fewer than currently scheduled.

The cap on passenger numbers will be in place from now until 11 September.

Thousands of UK travellers have been affected by disruption in recent weeks, including last-minute cancellations.

Airports and airlines, which cut jobs during Covid lockdowns, have struggled to recruit staff as demand for holidays has returned. The UK is about to enter the key summer holiday season as schools begin to break up.

Consumer group Which? urged Heathrow to clarify which flights would be cancelled as a result of the latest announcement.

“While this cap may ease the unacceptable chaos passengers are facing at the UK’s biggest airport, thousands of people will now be worrying about whether their flight or holiday plans are about to fall apart,” said Guy Hobbs, acting editor of Which? Travel.

“Heathrow must work with airlines to quickly provide clarity on which flights are being cut, and airlines need to be upfront with those passengers affected about their right to be rebooked at the earliest opportunity, including on services from other airlines.”

A Heathrow spokesperson said it would take “a couple of days” for airlines to work with the scheduling company, Airport Coordination Limited, to decide what changes would be needed.