הית'רו מתכונן לשיא חג המולד

The main British airport has already recruited and trained more than 16,000 new employees in the last 12 months, admitting that “capacity and demand are balanced”.

At current recruitment rates, the airport says it is on track to return to pre-pandemic employment levels before the 2023 summer peak season.

Heathrow airport imposed a daily limit of 100,000 passengers, starting in mid-July due to lack of staff. This cap was lifted on October 30, with the airport now promising travellers that no caps will be reintroduced during peak travel days during the Christmas holidays.

“We are working with airlines and ground agents to prepare for the peak of Christmas and we have a good plan, which will not require any capacity limits,” said airport officials in a statement.

Strikes planned

The same officials claim to be “aware” of a possible strike action by border workers after members of the Public and Commercial Services Union voted for a strike for better wages and conditions, with dates expected to be announced in mid-November.

“We are supporting organisations in contingency plans to minimise any impact and encourage all parties to put the interests of passengers first,” the statement said.

Heathrow served 50 million passengers during the first ten months of 2022, representing 74% of 2019 pre-pandemic levels, following a “floating” leisure market and the “gradual return” of business travellers. The airport also says that the strong recovery in the Middle East and Central Asia recorded in October should continue into November.