Heathrow will keep capacity at current levels until the end of the summer season on 29 October.

The airport said it has consulted with airlines on the capacity limit extension, which was introduced in July, adding it will ‘provide passengers will confidence ahead of their half-term getaways’.

Late last month, The Telegraph said it had seen a letter to airlines saying the curbs, introduced earlier this summer, would have to be extended because of staff shortages and absences and to ensure a continued safe operation.

The capacity limit at Heathrow is currently set at 100,000 daily departing passengers.

Heathrow said the limit will be kept under regular review and could be lifted earlier, particularly if the number of airline ground handlers increases.  

Chief Commercial Officer Ross Baker said: “Our primary concern is ensuring we give our passengers a reliable service when they travel. That’s why we introduced temporary capacity limits in July which have already improved journeys during the summer getaway.

“We want to remove the cap as soon as possible, but we can only do so when we are confident that everyone operating at the airport has the resources to deliver the service our passengers deserve.”