The United Kingdom’s Heathrow Airport is calling on the U.K. government to implement a passenger testing regime, as passenger numbers and cargo volumes plummeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heathrow reported passenger numbers were down more than 96 percent in the second quarter, as global aviation came to a virtual standstill. Airport spokespeople said they anticipate a gradual recovery with the reopening of countries, but expect volumes to be 60 percent lower than 2019. In addition, cargo volumes fell more than 30 percent.
“Today’s results should serve as a clarion call for the government — the U.K. needs a passenger testing regime and fast,” said John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, in a statement. “Without it, Britain is just playing a game of quarantine roulette.”
As a result of passenger decline, revenue in the second quarter fell 85 percent to