"Changing Passenger Tickets in 36 Hours?" Emirates Airlines Protests UK Heathrow Airport Passenger Restrictions

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Emirates Airlines has pushed back against Heathrow Airport in the UK, which has limited daily passenger numbers due to staff shortages and demanded that airlines stop selling tickets.

According to Bloomberg and others on the 14th (local time), Emirates Airlines stated in a press release that Heathrow Airport limited the number of passengers just 36 hours before the A380 superjumbo flight departing from Dubai and arriving at Heathrow, which operates six times a day. The airline pointed out that this makes it impossible for passengers to find alternative flights.

Emirates Airlines said, "Their communication not only instructed us to offload paying passengers on specific flights but also threatened legal action if we did not comply," adding, "Until further notice, Emirates Airlines plans to operate flights to and from Heathrow as scheduled." They likened the situation at Heathrow Airport to 'Armageddon' and criticized, "They are shifting all the burden onto flights and passengers due to their incompetence and failure to take action."

Earlier, Heathrow Airport limited daily passengers to 100,000 until September and requested airlines not to sell tickets. The current average daily capacity at Heathrow is 100,000 passengers, but exceeding this has raised concerns about flight cancellations, delays, and safety issues. This decision came amid staff shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Heathrow Airport responded to Emirates Airlines' backlash by stating that the imposed limit is higher than the restrictions at Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport in the Netherlands. Heathrow said, "Although we had no choice, we made this difficult decision to regulate capacity to ensure safer travel for passengers and maintain airport safety," adding, "It would be very disappointing if any airline prioritizes profit over passenger safety."

Bloomberg reported, "Emirates Airlines' stance represents a clash with Heathrow Airport and one of its key customers using the airport," noting, "The A380 flights operating daily to and from London exceed a total capacity of 3,000 passengers."