Heathrow is calling on government to support an international standard for safe air travel after suffering a Covid-19 collapse in passenger numbers.
The airport warned that passenger volumes were expected to be down by 97% in April with demand remaining weak.
Covid-19 also had a “significant impact” on traffic in the three months to March 31 with numbers down by more than 18% to 14.6 million.
The London hub said: “We expect passenger demand will remain weak until governments around the world deem it safe to lift travel restrictions.”
Overall revenue in the quarter fell by 12.7% to £593 million and adjusted profits [ebitda] was down by 22.4% to £315 million.
However, the airport is seeking to rebuild passenger confidence in flying.
“Heathrow is working with partners round the world to establish a common international standard for safe air travel to help the economy recover from the Covid-19 crisis,” the company said.
“Re-establishing long-haul passenger flights is critical for the UK’s supply chain, exports, inbound tourism and education.”
The airport said it had taken “immediate action” to conserve cash and reduce costs by around 30% or £650 million, through cutting management pay, renegotiating all contracts and consolidating operations.
Chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Heathrow is proud to serve Britain by remaining open for repatriating UK citizens and critical supplies of PPE.
“When we have beaten this virus, we will need to get Britain flying again so that the economy can recover as fast as possible.
“That is why we are calling on the UK government to take a lead in setting a common international standard for safe air travel.”