Heathrow to close one of its runways as jets stop flying

HEATHROW is to close one of its two runways amid a dramatic collapse in passenger numbers.

It will partially shut down from Monday, with normal operations unlikely to resume for weeks, bosses will announce today.

The part closure of Europe’s biggest airport underlines the severity of the crisis facing the aviation industry.

The west London base usually handles 213,000 passengers and 1,300 flights a day, with a plane taking off or landing on its two runways every 45 seconds.

But the coronavirus crisis has led to a sudden and severe decline in traffic as airlines ground their fleets and make severe cuts to schedules.

Heathrow bosses have already announced plans to ‘repurpose’ the airfield as a centre for cargo imports of vital medicines. Some 41 per cent of Britain’s medical supplies will be shipped in via Heathrow over the coming weeks. Air traffic controllers will alternate which runway they use on a weekly basis to give respite to residents living under flight paths.

The announcement comes days after Gatwick announced a similar partial closure. London City airport has entirely suspended operations, as have regional airports Newquay, Carlisle Lake District and Teesside International.

BA, Virgin Atlantic, Ryanair, TUI and Jet2 are among airlines which have made severe cuts to schedules, while EasyJet has indefinitely grounded its entire fleet of more than 300 planes.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said ministers are in ‘detailed discussions’ over possible financial help for crisis-hit airports and airlines.

A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘Although we are seeing significantly fewer flights at the moment, Heathrow will remain open so that we can continue to play a crucial role in helping to secure vital medical goods and food for the nation during this unprecedented epidemic.’