Airport News
Heathrow has welcomed passengers to its new Terminal 2, which officially opened today (June 4). The £2.5bn (US$4.1bn) terminal is the latest phase of a £11bn (US$18.4bn) project aimed at transforming the passenger experience.
United Airlines is the first airline to move into the new terminal, officially named ‘The Queen’s Terminal’ in honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and will operate 34 flights today for almost 6,000 passengers, just 10% of the terminal’s total flight volume.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow development director and chief executive designate, said, “Terminal 2 is the culmination of an £11bn investment programme that has transformed Heathrow for passengers. Opening a new terminal is one of the most complex challenges that any airport can undertake. Our measure of success is not everything running perfectly on day one – there will inevitably be things we can improve. Our real measure of success is whether Terminal 2 comes to be rated by passengers as one of the world’s best airport terminals for years to come.”
Terminal 2 has a number of world firsts, including an airport debut for British high-street favourite John Lewis. The terminal also welcomes multi-award winning chef Heston Blumenthal with the opening of his newest restaurant, The Perfectionists’ Café. In total there will be 33 retailers at the new terminal, including iconic British brands such as Cath Kidston and Ted Baker and luxury fashion houses such as Mulberry and Burberry. This will be complemented by 17 food and drink outlets including a Fuller’s pub serving London Pride and The Gorgeous Kitchen – a restaurant created by four local female chefs.
Prior to today’s opening, more than 180 trials took place over the last six months involving 14,000 volunteers. In addition, 100,000 bags have passed through the Terminal 2 baggage system, with peak loads tested at 4,000 bags per hour compared to an expected peak of 2,500 bags.
The new Terminal 2 is also an essential part of Heathrow’s plans for expanding the airport. If Government supports a third runway at Heathrow then Terminal 2 will be extended to become one of two main passenger hubs for the airport. Heathrow East (an extended Terminal 2) and Heathrow West (Terminals 5 and 6) will be the main passenger terminals for a three runway Heathrow. These terminals and their satellite buildings will be connected by one underground passenger transit and baggage system.
