The Heathrow cargo tunnel that has been closed over recent days is expected to re-open on October 5.

The tunnel connecting to terminal four (T4) was closed on October 2 due to a “life safety issue”, causing airlines to warn of potential delays and re-routing of cargo.

However, an airport spokesperson has informed Air Cargo News that the tunnel should re-open.

“One of the tunnels that airside vehicles use at Heathrow has been temporarily closed to allow repairs to the safety systems," the spokesperson said.

"The tunnel will reopen [Thursday] morning after engineering teams complete their work.

"Contingency measures have allowed safe travel around the airfield during the closure and we are grateful to partners across the airport for their support and patience while this issue was resolved.”

The tunnel in question linked the cargo terminal area (CTA) with T4.

During the closure, the airport asked airside operators to minimise journeys between the CTA and T4. It had set up staging areas for cargo at stands 357 and 431.

The airport added that for essential journeys all airside operators must use alternative routes to reach T4 and CTA.

For essential journeys not able to use the landside road system an overland diversion route was provided via the eastern tug road where vehicles would be escorted in convoys across the taxiway system.