Heathrow is counting the cost of conflict in the Middle East after a hit to global travel - shaving nearly £150m off profits.

The airport said the war is putting 'notable downward pressure on traffic' as it cut its forecasts for passenger numbers and earnings for the year.

The number of passengers travelling to the Middle East has fallen by 25 per cent, it added.

Heathrow expects 83.6m passengers to pass through its terminals, but warned the figure could be as low as 80.1m.

That compares with an all-time high of 84.5m last year. 

The west London hub said profits for the year will be £147m lower than they were in 2025 and £60m less than expected in December - before the war broke out.

It expects to make just less than £1.9bn. The war has had a major impact on global aviation because of the Middle East's position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, disrupting flight routes.