An estimated 200 Heathrow flights have been cancelled as the airport, airlines and air traffic controllers try to avoid noisy interruptions during the Queen’s funeral.
Flag-carrier British Airways also said it has reduced its schedule and re-timed some flights at Heathrow “to ensure the skies are quiet at certain moments on Monday September 19”.
About 15% of Heathrow’s schedule will be altered, which is equivalent to a moderate weather event.
The Independent estimated that about 35,000 passengers due to fly to and from Heathrow on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will have flights cancelled or re-timed.
“Around 200 flights are expected to be grounded, the vast majority on Monday,” said the newspaper.
BA expect to cancel about 50 short-haul roundtrips across the day and is contacting customers to rebook them onto other flights or offer refunds.
A Heathrow airport spokesperson said: “Heathrow, NATS and airlines are supporting the ceremonial aspects for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral at Westminster Abbey and the Committal Service at Windsor Castle on Monday.
“As a mark of respect, operations to and from the airport will be subject to appropriate changes in order to avoid noise disruption at certain locations at specific times on Monday.
“Heathrow and airlines are working closely with NATS to minimise the impact of these restrictions on passengers.
“In order to observe these moments on Monday, airlines will need to adjust their schedules accordingly, which will mean some changes to flights.”
Out of respect for Her Majesty The Queen, Heathrow, NATS and airlines, will make appropriate changes to their operations to avoid noise disruption for the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey and the Committal Service at Windsor Castle on Monday 19 September 2022. (1/3)
— Heathrow Airport (@HeathrowAirport) September 15, 2022
Heathrow said airlines will contact passengers affected by the changes. Passengers who have been notified that their flight has been cancelled, and/or do not have a confirmed seat on a flight, should not turn up to the airport.
The statement added: “Roads around the airport are expected to be extremely busy and passengers are encouraged to avoid travelling by car to the airport, and to use public transport instead.”
It also said the airport will observe the National Moment of Reflection with a one-minute silence at 8pm on Sunday (September 18) and show the funeral on screens on Monday.
Non-essential shops will close on Monday but “essential” retailers, such as WHSmith, Boots and Travelex, and restaurants, cafes and pubs will remain open.
The procession of the Queen’s coffin to St George’s Chapel in Windsor will also affect local roads around Heathrow during the day.
Passengers are “strongly advised” to use alternative routes such as the Piccadilly and Elizabeth Lines, which will be operating regular services on Monday, or Heathrow Express, which will be running additional services.
The London hub saw some disruption on Wednesday afternoon (September 14) as a ceremonial procession with the coffin moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall.
Gatwick and London City airports are due to operate as planned although Gatwick has advised passengers that it expects roads and trains to be busier than usual during the period of mourning, as people visit London to pay tribute to the Queen.