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A380 model almost ready
Queen opens Terminal 5
Protestors scale jet
Sniffer dog on stamps
Baggage system trial
Investigation after crash
Heathrow expansion proposed
Virgin high-speed check-in
Border staff uniforms now standard
New x-ray machines
Terminal 5 'road test'
New chairman for BAA
September 17 handover for Terminal 5
Eco-protest at BAA office
Security high for climate camp
Biometric checks for Terminal 5
New Terminal gets go-ahead
A380 model almost ready
17 June 2008
An 80 feet long model of the Airbus A380 is set to be erected next month on a key site at the mouth of the main Heathrow access tunnel.
The area, which until last year was home to a huge model of Concorde, has been taken over by Emirates to promote their new A380 service, expected to begin later this year.
The steel and fibreglass replica, a third the size of the standard A380, is being built by a specialist firm in San Bernadino, California, and will be flown over to London early next month ready for its installation on the prestigious site.
Queen opens Terminal 5
14 March 2008
The Queen officially opened Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 describing it as a “twenty first century gateway to Britain”.
Hundreds of invited guests were present at a ceremony in the terminal’s departures area to mark the opening of the £4.3 billion building which will be used exclusively by British Airways and will start operations on 27 March.
The Queen, who has a long association with Heathrow, opened the airport's first passenger terminal, the Europa Building (now called Terminal 2), over half a century ago in 1955.
Accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen was met at the departures concourse of Terminal 5 by Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of airport operator BAA, . Also present was Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, Rafael del Pino, Executive Chairman Grupo Ferrovial which owns BAA, and British Airways chairman Martin Broughton.
“I am delighted to be here at Heathrow today, to join these special celebrations and formally to declare Terminal Five ready for business”, she said
“Looking around this bright and airy space with its clean, efficient layout, I am sure that many millions of travellers will have reason to be appreciative of the thought and care that has gone into the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of this significant new terminal. It provides an encouraging illustration of what can be achieved through working in partnership, and it says a good deal about how the essential considerations of passenger comfort, effective security, and quality of service, can be combined with the ever more important requirement of environmental responsibility.
“My warmest congratulations go to everyone who has worked on this highly impressive building; it embodies many achievements, of which you can all be rightly proud.
”So today, it gives me great pleasure to open Terminal Five - this twenty-first century gateway to Britain - and, for us, to the wider world”, she said.
Sir Nigel Rudd said: "Terminal 5 marks the start of a new beginning for Heathrow, for BAA and for our millions of passengers. It is, by any standard, a triumph of ambition, commitment and collaboration. It will breathe new life into Heathrow, allowing us to continue our transformation of the rest of the airport, and will put Heathrow and BAA back where they belong - at the leading edge of global travel”
"Terminal 5 will soon be the starting point for many exciting journeys and it will be a place too for many happy reunions, as travellers come home to loved ones. Today, before those journeys begin, we can look and admire a magnificent building - a source of huge pride for BAA as a company, but also for all those individuals who have invested so much of their lives in its creation."
The new terminal at Heathrow, with British Airways as sole airline occupant, is set to help transform the passenger experience at Heathrow. It will offer passengers a simple and stress-free experience through online check-in and fast bag drop facilities, with the benefit of state-of-the-art security and baggage facilities.
Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive, said: "Terminal 5 is a fantastic facility and our customers will really enjoy the space, comfort and convenience it offers. We have exclusive use of the terminal and that will allow us to greatly improve the levels of service we can offer. The customer experience at Terminal 5 will rival, if not exceed, that at any airport in the world.
"With the opening of Terminal 5, British Airways and BAA have an opportunity to make air travel, both into and out of the UK, once again a calmer and much more enjoyable experience. We intend to take full advantage of that opportunity and can't wait to open the doors to our customers."
Some 60,000 people have worked a total of 100 million man hours to build Terminal 5, since construction work began in September 2002.
The Terminal 5 project team has successfully erected the UK's biggest free-standing building; moved the 900-tonne top cab of a new 87m high control tower 2km across the airfield; tunnelled over 13km for rail and baggage links; diverted two rivers; and installed over 30,000 sq metres of glass building facades. All Terminal 5's footprint is contained within a former sludge works at the western end of the existing airport, situated between the two runways, adjacent to the M25.
The Terminal 5 complex features 60 new aircraft stands; two satellite buildings, the second of which (phase 2) will be completed by 2010; rail links to London Underground and Heathrow Express; a new multi-storey car park; and extensive landscaping. Designed by 2006 Stirling Prize winner Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the building's design meets the needs of the passenger from the moment they arrive at the airport to boarding their aircraft. It offers space, convenience, comfort and spectacular views across the airfield for virtually every step of the passenger's journey.
Commenting on this, Sir Nigel Rudd said : "From every perspective, this is a landmark project and I am proud to think that Terminal 5 has become a model construction project, setting new, higher standards for an industry around the world."
Terminal 5 on schedule
13 March 2008
Finishing touches are being put to Terminal 5 with staff working round the clock to ensure a trouble-free opening on March 27.
Operational trials are taking place almost up to the last day, to try and iron out any possible problems.
The formal opening by the Queen on March 14 has given a special impetus to the work, particularly in the areas near the royal route, but many of the technical issues will be worked on right to the last. Airside security procedues are already in force.
“We expect to be fully operational on the scheduled date with the project coming in on time and on budget” said BAA.
The first flight is expected to be a British Airways 747 from Hong Kong at around 0450 local time, with several other long haul flights following shortly after.
The £4.2 billion terminal is the largest freestanding building in the UK and covers an area of over 200 hectares, the equivalent of 50 football pitches.
Protestors scale jet
27 February 2008
Four Greenpeace protestors were arrested after scaling onto the top of a British Airways jet adjacent toTerminal 1.
The two men and two women, who were demonstrating against a proposed third runway, climbed onto the Airbus A320 and unfurled a banner which they attached to its tail.
According to a Greenpeace statement, they had arrived on a flight from Manchester and found an exit door which took them onto the tarmac.
After an hour-long protest they were arrested by police and bailed to appear before magistrates later in the year.
Sniffer dog on stamps
15 February 2008
A Heathrow sniffer dog is featured a new royal mail postage stamp.
Springer spaniel Max specialises in sniffing out smuggled currency and appears in a series of stamps about working dogs.
Max, who recently retired with a medical condition, has discovered over £3 million in currency during his career including one particular find of 390,000 US dollars. He was trained in 2004 to target money launderers and counterfeit smugglers.
“It’s easy to forget that there’s a secret army of thousands of hardworking dogs who make a real difference to many lives. I hope this issue will help raise the profile of their important work” said Julietta Edgar, head of special stamps for Royal Mail.
Baggage system trial
14 February 2008
Radio monitored labels are being tested on baggage at Heathrow to see whether the system can be introduced throughout the airport.
The six month trial is being concentrated on Emirates flights to Dubai. BAA are hopeful the system will revolutionise the way bags are tracked and monitored at the airport.
Under the new scheme, RFID (radio frequency identification) labels are added at check-in and sensors can identify their progress.
The existing barcode labels require a clear line of sight - bringing an element of ooccasional misreading which can add delay and cost.
"This trial enables us to embrace the latest technology for the benefit of our customers. The volume of baggage processed at airports is increasing with more people around the world flying each year and it is important to Emirates that we look at innovation and using new baggage handling and tracking systems to help give that extr4a level of rassurance for our customers " said Vic Sheppard, Emirates Vice President UK and Ireland.
Investigation after crash
20 January 2008
An urgent investigation was underway after a British Airways jet crash landed at Heathrow after an apparent technical failure.
The Boeing 777 jet narrowly missed parked vehicles and a perimeter fence before skidding across the grass and finally ending up on the southern runway. Passengers escaped down rescue chutes but there were no serious injuries.
British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said: "We are very proud of the way our crew safely evacuated all 136 passengers on board with only three minor injuries."
He said that the crew did a magnificent job and added “the captain of the aircraft is one of our most experienced and has been flying with us for nearly 20 years”.
Emergency tenders were on the scene in minutes but there was no fire. Passengers were evacuated from the scene by vehicle.
The incident, on the east side of the airport, brought extensive disruption with a number of flights diverted to other airports. Prime Minister Gordon Brown was amongst those affected by the incident - he was about to fly to China and was delayed for almost an hour before taking-off on the northern runway.
The damaged aircraft was removed three days later to the airline’s engineering base. Investigators are expected to produce an interim report in a few weeks with a full analysis of the likely causes several months later.
Heathrow expansion proposed
23 November 2007
A huge expansion of Heathrow including an additional runway and a new terminal building was given a boost as the government launched a consultation process into the plan.
Under the scheme, which as been backed by the government, airlines and business organisations, the airport would have a new, short runway by 2020 and would see a substantial development of land north of the existing site. Existing runways would have mixed-mode take off and landings, increasing capacity.
Stephen Nelson, chief executive of BAA, said: "This consultation spells good news for passengers. Heathrow is full and its dependence on two runways, while European competitors have four or five, causes delays, stacks and crawling taxiway queues. The cost of this congestion can be measured economically and environmentally.
"More efficient, or mixed-mode, use of the existing runways would allow us to cut delays at a stroke, while a third runway will mean we can add new destinations to the UK's global reach. There will be no more noise overall from the airport, better air quality, and improved public transport links."
Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, said: 'We are committed to ensuring that growth is sustainable. By the time a third runway becomes operational, aviation emissions will have been capped by the EU for several years.
"If airlines want to fly more, they will have to pay for emissions reductions in other industries - so overall CO2 in the atmosphere will not rise because of a third runway."
Steve Ridgway, chief executive of Virgin Atlantic, said: "Limiting growth at Heathrow wouldn't prevent climate change because that growth would only go elsewhere.
"It would only serve to damage the UK's competitiveness, as well as limit the choice available to the huge number of people living in London who want to travel to visit friends and family. We rely on air travel to connect people and places on a wider scale."
Virgin high-speed check-in
17 October 2007
Virgin Atlantic has launched what it claims to be the world’s fastest airport check-in area in Heathrow’s Terminal 3.
Premium passengers will be dropped-off at the dedicated facility, called the Upper Class Wing, and then enter the airport through a single security channel, reserved for the airline’s customers.
It says that passengers can travel from ‘limo to lounge’ in under ten minutes. Travellers who make their own way to the main terminal can reach the area through a priority lift.
“This is going to take off the pressure and strain of getting through the airport” said the airline's chief executive Steve Ridgway as he launched the facility. It will be fully operational on November 2. Virgin expects around 80 per cent of its passengers to use self-serve or online check-in by the end of next year.
He added that it would prove a ‘wow’ with passengers, especially as the central terminal area would be a lot less congested next year with the opening of Terminal 5.
“BAA has exciting plans for Terminal 3 and Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Wing is a fantastic addition to Heathrow” said Mark Bullock. BAA Heathrow’s managing director.
Border staff uniforms now standard
5 October 2007
Uniformed border control officers have now become standard at Heathrow following the completion of a roll-out announced in summer..
The new uniforms of dark blue suits and light blue shirts, together with clearer signage, will make it clearer to arriving passengers that they are entering UK territory, say the Home Office.
"Strong borders are a vital national line of defence against terrorism and crime. That's why we have increased immigration policing and and, through the rollout of uniforms and signage, are creating a single, highly-visible presence at the border" said Brodie Clark, Director of Border Control.
"Initital feedback from staff and the travelling public towards the uniforms has been very positive and this is an important step forward" he said.
Link: Video of new uniforms in use
New x-ray machines
28 September 2007
Sophisticated new x-ray machines which can detect explosives and other dangerous materials more effectively are being installed at Heathrow.
The Smiths aTiX machines are described by BAA as "the next generation of security screening equipment" are currently being trialed at the airport and are likely to form the backbone of the Terminal 5 screening system.
The new system enables faster as well as more effective analysis of bags - and will possibly lead to the end of the controversial one carry-on bag rule.
Terminal 5 'road test'
22 September 2007
A detailed programme to make Heathrow’s Terminal 5 ready for operational use has been launched by BAA.
Thousands of volunteers are being drafted in to ‘road test’ the Terminal over the next few months in a concerted attempt to iron out any problems before it opens to the public next March.
The volunteer customers, many of them airport and airline employees, are taking part in 70 separate proving trials in an attempt to unearth any potential problems.
Check-in areas, arrivals, departures, baggage-handling, customs, immigration and security are amongst the areas being tested.
The building was formally handed over by the contractors on September 18 and all energies are now being directed at its operational viability.
The £4.3 billion terminal is due to open on March 27 and will ultimately host 90 per cent of British Airways flights at Heathrow.
“As well as being an amazing building in it’s own right, T5 is a fantastic opportunity for BA and will transform our operations and customers’ experiences with less queuing, faster baggage systems and better punctuality” said Willie Walsh, British Airway’s chief executive.
“It will eclipse the facilities and schedules of many of our rivals in Europe and further afield. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help BA modernise and grow its business at Heathrow”, he told the British Airways News staff newspaper.
New chairman for BAA
31 August 2007
Sir Nigel Rudd has been appointed non-executive chairman of airport group BAA, the owners of Heathrow.
Currently deputy chairman of Barclays plc, Sir Nigel, 61, has been involved with many of Britain’s major companies over a long career.
In another appointment, Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington, one of the country’s leading security experts, becomes a non-executive director of the company.
A former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police he served at Heathrow at one stage in his career but has more recently been appointed as a security advisor to the government.
"This is the most challenging role I have ever undertaken. BAA faces a number of well-documented challenges, but I am heartened that it has supportive and long-term shareholders and a first class Chief Executive in Stephen Nelson” said Sir Nigel.
"We need to transform Britain's biggest airports throughout the coming years. I believe it can be done and I am determined to get the results our passengers deserve."
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Terminal 5 set for September 17 handover
24 August 2007
Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is on course for an official handover from the builders on September 17, say BAA.
The development, one of the largest of its kind ever undertaken, is totally on schedule and the handover will take place as planned ready for its conversion into a fully-operational Terminal next March, said a company spokesman.
The landmark date represents the end of the construction phase and start of it’s fitting out.
Work will start almost immediately on a series of trials involving around 15,000 volunteers who will test the operational viability of the construction.
“These trials will help us identify any areas that we need to fix so that Terminal 5 is safe, secure and works like clockwork when we open in March 2008. It also gives us an opportunity to understand what our customers feel about the new terminal experience.
We’ll also ensure the team who will be running the terminal get the chance to test and develop their service. We also need to identify anything we need to fix prior to opening”, said BAA.
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Eco-protest at BAA offices
20 August
A large police presence successfully contained an eco-protest outside the Heathrow offices of airport owners BAA without any significant disruption to airport operations.
The demonstration in the office’s car park was the culmination of a week of activity at a nearby ‘climate camp’ intended to highlight the impact of aviation on the environment.
There were originally fears that direct action by hundreds of demonstrators based at the camp would affect the airport at the height of the busy summer period.
But with a large police operation which included mounted officers and riot-trained squads, there was little the protestors could do except stay in an agreed area of the office car park. They eventually dispersed after about 24 hours.
During the week-long protest a total of 58 people were arrested for various offences including several arrests at a British Airways cargo facility.
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Security high for climate camp
17 August 2007
Police were mounting a major security operation as hundreds of activists converged on the Camp for Climate Action immediately north of Heathrow
Amidst fears that the protesters could disrupt the airport’s activities at one of the busiest times of year, police were maintaining a large presence at key access areas.
They estimated the number of activists at around 600 on Thursday 16 August but this was expected to swell as the week-long event continued.
The camp’s organisers claim they are highlighting the impact of aviation on climate change and there have been threats that ‘direct action’ could be used to underline their message.
BAA urge passengers to continue with their journeys as planned.
“Around 1.5 million passengers are due to pass through Heathrow during the week of climate camp, many of them families on their summer holidays. It is our responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to guarantee their safety and comfort during this very busy period” said Mark Bullock, the airports MD.
“With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business. Any action taken by the protestors that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful”, he said
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Biometric checks for Terminal 5
10 August 2007
Terminal 5 will be the first part of Heathrow to require biometric checks on some passengers when it opens next March.
Domestic passengers using the terminal, home to British Airways, will have to take a fingerprint test as part of a security check before take off.
The checks are being introduced because domestic and international passengers share the same departure lounge and there are fears that transit passengers could avoid controls by booking a domestic flight to a regional airport.
The move is part of an ongoing process of biometric recognition requirements for air travel.
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New terminal gets go-ahead
1 June 2007
 
Detailed plans are being made for the development of the new Heathrow East terminal following the granting of planning permission by the local council.
The revolutionary development, capable of handling around 30 million passengers a year, could be partially open by 2012, according to BAA. It replaces Terminals 1 and 2 which would be demolished to make way for the new project.
The building puts great emphasis on environmental issues using on-site renewable energy such as biomass gasification and photovoltaic solar panels.
“Heathrow East will set a new standard in environmentally sensitive airport buildings. It will cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 40 per cent compared to the buildings it will replace” said BAA.
Work is expected to start late 2008. |
