Emirates calls Heathrow passenger limit unacceptable

Emirates has hit back at Heathrow Airport for demanding airlines stop selling summer tickets, calling the move "unreasonable and unacceptable".

The airline accused the airport of being "cavalier about travellers" after it decided to limit the number of passengers who can depart each day over the summer to 100,000.

Emirates said the figure appeared to be "plucked from thin air".

The cap on passenger numbers will be in place from now until 11 September.

In a statement heavily criticising Heathrow management, Emirates said it was given 36 hours to cut passenger numbers booked on its services.

"Their communications not only dictated the specific flights on which we should throw out paying passengers, but also threatened legal action for non-compliance," the airline said.