London Heathrow airport has announced a capacity capping on selected flights, including those of Air Malta, to address passenger congestion and severe queuing times.

Chaos has erupted at the airport in recent weeks as airports across Europe continue to struggle with the demand for travel following the COVID-19 pandemic and staff shortages.

Images and videos of queues and mountains of luggage have flooded social media. Now, Heathrow has announced that certain flights have been told the maximum number of passengers they are allowed to carry up until 11th September 2022.

Airlines have been instructed to strictly operate within the advised  capacity restrictions and if they are unable to meet those criteria, then they  have been given the choice to either cancel the flight concerned or to try  to re-time it to another time approved by London Heathrow

Air Malta is currently booked at 95% capacity for the months of July and August and have announced the re-timing of the Malta – London Heathrow – Malta route as below: 

22nd July – KM106 to depart Malta at 12:15 and KM107 to depart London  Heathrow at 15:45. 

29th July / 05th August / 12th August and 19th August – KM106 to depart Malta at  12:10 and KM107 to depart London Heathrow at 15:30. 

27th July / 1st August / 3rd August and 6th August – KM102 to depart Malta at 12:30 and KM103 to depart London Heathrow at 16:05. 

Air Malta regrets any inconvenience to its customers caused by this extraordinary circumstance totally beyond its control.

“We stand by our belief that it is better to give our customers confidence that they will travel as opposed to enforced flight cancellations leaving customers stranded with no alternative travel options available,” the airline said.

Are you flying to Heathrow over the next few weeks?