LONDON: Heathrow on Tuesday said the number of passengers who passed London’s main airport fell more than 12 percent last year, with an Omicron Coronavirus variant stretching the prospect of recovery.
“Covid-19 continues to cause significant challenges for the travel industry,” said Heathrow in a statement.
The airport welcomed 19.4 million passengers last year – less than a quarter level in 2019 before the pandemic hit.
The passenger rate fell 12.3 percent compared to 2020.
Heathrow said that at least 600,000 passengers canceled a travel plan from the airport in December because “omicron and uncertainty caused by restrictions on government travel quickly”.
The airport, reflects the defense by the airline, urging the British government to immediately erase all tests for passengers who are fully vaccinated.
“At present there are travel limits, such as testing, on all Heathrow routes,” said Airport Head John Holland-Kaye said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The aviation industry will only recover completely when all this is lifted and there is no risk that they will be regrocated with short notice, the situation is likely for years.”