Heathrow opens Olympic terminal

Date: 13/6/2012

A new terminal created solely for use during the Olympic Games has been opened at Heathrow airport.

Although construction work on the site has now been completed, the transport hub is still to initiate operations. It has taken five months to build and planning first began over two years ago.

Minister of State for Transport Theresa Villiers was present at the launch of the temporary terminal and said the work that has been done on the project is "very impressive."

Head of Olympic Operations at Heathrow Nick Cole predicted that August 13th will be the airport's busiest day ever for departing passengers, as it will have to deal with 137,800 people and process 200,000 bags.

Furthermore, 10,000 of the world's athletes will use the hub. This is why a dedicated facility has been created, he explained, as it will allow passengers using Terminals One, Three, Four and Five to embark on their trips without any disruption from the Olympic crowds.

Ms Villiers said: "This extra departure capacity I think is going to be very important in ensuring that Heathrow can cope with that huge volume of departing passengers over those few days after the closing ceremony."

Heathrow is also introducing extra measures to ensure the smooth running of operations during what is set to be a very busy time for the airport.

Mr Cole explained it has recruited one thousand volunteers from the local community to work at the site during the Games and this is something the hub hopes to continue in the future.

Extra desks have been introduced to ensure people's needs are met when they arrive at the airport, while remote checking will take place in the athlete's village the day before the closing ceremony.

BAA, which owns Heathrow, stated staff members will also be "working tirelessly" in the other terminals, as well as on the surrounding roads, forecourts, fields and baggage systems.

"They all have an equally important job to do," the organisation added.

The Olympic Games will kick off on July 27th and take place until August 12th.

Posted by Mary Treen