Heathrow reports 82% drop in passenger in eighth “catastrophic” month

John Holland-Kaye: “Lack of Government action is weakening our sector.”

(Picture: PA)

Heathrow airport today reported an 82% drop in traffic in October - the eighth consecutive month of “catastrophic” decline, and warned that with the current travel ban, November is likely to be even worse.

It said long-haul and critical markets for trade suffered the worst declines due to the Government’s “debilitating ”quarantine requirements, with overall cargo volumes down 23% year-on-year. North America the UK’s biggest export market has been hardest hit by the downturn.

Heathrow CEO, John Holland-Kaye, said: “Aviation is the lifeblood of the UK’s economy, critical for exports of goods and services and imports of vaccines, as well as inbound tourism, students and foreign direct investment. 

"Lack of Government action is weakening our sector, making it harder for us to support the eventual economic recovery and help deliver the Prime Minister’s vision of a global Britain.”

This breaking story is being updated