The airport is understaffed and overworked and can’t handle the historically large numbers of passengers.
Travel headachescontinue worldwide , aslost luggage , delays , cancellations , and general topsy-turvydom define many multitude ’s summer fly experiences . AtLondon Heathrow Airport , these exit reached a stewing point , with the airport instating a content cap to deal with the rider surge .
In an open alphabetic character shared with the public , Heathrow CEO John Holland - Kaye detail the logical thinking for the capacity cap . Leading the varsity letter , Holland - Kaye outlined that the airport had seen40 yr of passenger growthin just four calendar month . In June alone , nearlysix million passengerstraveled through the airport . Even in in effect times , the speedy step-up in passengers would be overwhelming . After two age of an unpredictable and unrelenting COVID-19 pandemic , the increase threatens to bring day - to - day operations to the basis .
" Over the retiring few week , as departing passenger numbers have regularly surpass 100,000 a 24-hour interval , we have started to see catamenia when help discharge to a level that is not acceptable : long queue times , delays for passengers need assistance , bag not traveling with passenger or get in late , low promptness and last - mo cancellations , " Holland - Kaye wrotein the program line .
Courtesy of Heathrow Airport
To address the issue , Holland - Kaye initially announcedthat the airway would crest daily departures at 100,000 passengers between July 12 and September 11 . On July 21,The item Guyreported that the capacity limitation would be extended to October 29 . It was not welcome news for airline that have already spoken out against the measure , according toreporting by The Telegraph .
" Our assessment is that the maximum phone number of daily start out passenger that airlines , airway ground handlers , and the airdrome can together with serve up over the summer is no more than 100,000 , " Holland - Kaye continued in his statement from July 12 .
The airport has asked that airlines aid in maintaining this lower electrical capacity by refraining from sell airline ticket that will outgo the 100,000 daily rider limit . Even with this reduced capacity , the aerodrome will still be bustling . But the hope is that by have fewer travelersmoving through Heathrow , the aerodrome will be able-bodied to meet its staffing needs and treat safety gadget and logistical concerns that have made locomotion unmanageable for passenger and employee .
" The airport will still be busy , as we are taste to get as many masses away as potential , and we ask you to bear with us if it hire a little long to check in , go through security or collect your bag than you are used to at Heathrow,“Holland - Kaye indite .