Heathrow warns Iran war may reduce passenger numbers for rest of 2025
Heathrow Airport warned on Thursday that passenger numbers for the rest of 2025 are likely to be impacted by the Iran war, which began on 28 February. The airport reported 18.9 million passengers in the first quarter, up 3.7% year-on-year, partly due to absorbing demand from other airports. Airspace closures in the Middle East have disrupted travel, with about half a million passengers per day normally using hubs in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi.
Heathrow Airport warned on Thursday that passenger numbers for the rest of 2025 are likely to be impacted by the Iran war, which began on 28 February.
The west London airport reported 18.9 million passengers in the first three months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 3.7%. Heathrow said it "temporarily absorbed demand from elsewhere" as airspace closures in the Middle East disrupted travel. About half a million passengers per day normally use airports in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi as connecting hubs between Europe, Asia and Australia.
Much of the Middle East's airspace has since reopened, but many people are avoiding flying there because of the war, the airport said in a trading update. "Passenger numbers for the rest of the year are likely to be impacted whilst there is significant uncertainty in the Middle East," the update stated.
Heathrow's first-quarter revenue rose 2.3% to £844 million, driven by higher passenger numbers, food and beverage sales and uptake of premium services. Adjusted operating costs increased 6.5% due to wages, national insurance payments, IT investments and passenger support.
Sally Ding, Heathrow's chief financial officer, said the airport was currently "full" and ready to progress its plan to build a third runway "with the right regulatory framework and Government policy in place."