Originally Posted by Daily Telegraph 14 July 2022

The world’s biggest international airline is refusing to comply with an order from Heathrow to cancel flights to comply with a cap on passenger numbers. Emirates said it would not cut services from the UK’s busiest airport in a row that risks rebellions by rival airlines serving Heathrow. The Dubai carrier said demands to cap passenger numbers – and therefore force flight cancellations – “were entirely unreasonable and unacceptable, and we reject these demands”.

Heathrow announced on Tuesday that it would limit the number of passengers it welcomes to 100,000 a day over the summer to avoid worsening travel chaos. The move would effectively force airlines to cancel more than 1,000 flights over the crucial summer holiday period.

But Emirates, run by British executive Sir Tim Clark, this morning hit back in a statement: “[London Heathrow] last evening gave us 36 hours to comply with capacity cuts, of a figure that appears to be plucked from thin air. Their communications not only dictated the specific flights on which we should throw out paying passengers, but also threatened legal action for non-compliance. Until further notice, Emirates plans to operate as scheduled to and from Heathrow.”

Heathrow has been contacted for comment.