Coronavirus: Heathrow suffers worst month since 1980s and predicts 90% traffic fall in April
Heathrow airport, normally the busiest in Europe, has just experienced its worst month since the 1980s.
The west London airport, which has remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic, has reported a 52 per cent slump in passenger numbers in March 2020, to 3.1 million.
The fall in traffic is worse than during the first Gulf War in 1990-1, the financial crash of 2007-8 and the volcanic ash airspace closure in 2010.
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Heathrow’s links to the European Union were worst affected, with 60 per cent fewer passengers in March 2020 compared with a year earlier.
The smallest reduction was to and from Latin America, though this figure has been boosted by a number of repatriation flights from Peru organised by the Foreign Office.
Heathrow is handling many times more cargo flights than usual. The average number of freight-only movements in normal times is seven per day; yet 38 dedicated cargo flights were handled on one day alone, 31 March 2020.
But the amount of freight handled by Heathrow is down one-third compared with 2019. During normal operations, 95 per cent of cargo usually travels in the belly hold of passenger planes.
The airport’s initial forecasts show passenger demand in April is set to decrease by over 90 per cent, ”with lasting and significant industry-wide effects” predicted.
Last week, Heathrow – previously the world’s busiest two-runway airport – moved to single-runway operations. It is also closing Terminals 3 and 4, to consolidate operations into Terminals 2 and 5.
There has been speculation that even when unrestricted international air travel resumes, Terminal 4 – which is awkwardly located south of the runways, rather than between then – may not re-open for some years.
But Heathrow might decide instead to keep Terminal 3 closed and rebuild it as a modern, midfield facility.
Heathrow is doing better than other British airports. London City has closed completely until May, while Gatwick – the UK’s second-busiest airport – is opening only for eight hours a day. The sole remaining link between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK is from Heathrow.
The airport’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Heathrow continues to serve the nation by keeping vital supply lines open and helping people get home.
“Now is the time to agree a common international standard for healthcare screening in airports so that when this crisis recedes, people can travel with confidence and we can get the British economy moving again.”
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Coronavirus: London on lockdown
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Photos Angela Christofilou
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Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
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An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
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Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
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A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
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As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
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A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
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A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
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During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
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‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
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Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
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Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
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22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
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Empty streets around Soho
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A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
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Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
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Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
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A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
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29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
2/29
Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
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People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
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A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
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6/29
Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
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24/29
A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
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25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
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26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
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27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
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28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
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29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
Heathrow has installed hundreds of hand sanitiser dispensers, and deployed signage and floor stickers to remind passengers of the need for social distancing.
No mention is made in the announcement about the plans for a third runway at Heathrow.
Frankfurt airport is currently busiest in Europe, with Heathrow in second place.
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