Heathrow asks airlines to halt ticket sales: What you need to know

(CNN) — London Heathrow, one of the world’s busiest airports, has made the extraordinary move of asking airlines to stop selling tickets for outbound travel this summer.

Here’s what you need to know about the measure.

Why is it happening?

Like many airports around the world, Heathrow has been struggling to cope with staff shortages and the surge in passenger demand following two years of pandemic disruptions.

Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said in an open letter to passengers on July 12 that “over the past few weeks, as departing passenger numbers have regularly exceeded 100,000 a day, we have started to see periods when service drops to a level that is not acceptable.”

This temporary measure has been introduced as an attempt to minimize further disruption.

When does it start?

The cap is immediately effective from July 12 and will last until at least September 11.

I’ve already booked my ticket. What should I do?

You don’t need to do anything. Your journey will go ahead as planned unless you are contacted by your airline with information to the contrary. Keep an eye on your email and text alerts and check the airline’s app or website before you head to the airport.

If you wish to reschedule or to cancel your flight, check the airline’s website for guidance.

“The airport will still be busy,” said Holland-Kaye in the July 12 letter. “We ask you to bear with us if it takes a little longer to check in, go through security or collect your bag than you are used to at Heathrow. We ask passengers to help, by making sure they have completed all their Covid requirements online before they come to the airport, by not arriving earlier than three hours before their flight, by being ready for security with laptops out of bags and liquids, aerosols and gels in a sealed 100 ml plastic bag, and by using e-gates in immigration where eligible.”

I’m transiting via Heathrow. Will I be affected?

Again, your flight will go ahead unless you hear otherwise from your airline. Keep a keen eye on updates as you prepare to travel.

What do I do if my flight is canceled?

Further disruptions are definitely in the cards, and some travelers will be affected by their flights being moved to another day, another airport, or being canceled altogether.

Passengers should be prepared to be flexible and for the eventuality that they may need to change their travel plans or have their flights refunded.

What disruptions have passengers been experiencing?

Last-minute flight cancellations have been a…