Heathrow Terminal 2 closes for refurbishment

Date: 4/12/2009

The Heathrow Airport's ageing Terminal 2 shut this week for redevelopment as part of the £1 billion refurbishment of passenger facilities.

Previously known as Heathrow East, the terminal opened in 1955 and was an icon of pop culture during the earlier years of passenger air travel.

Renovations are scheduled for completion by 2014 and are intended to replace the still-functioning Terminal 1 at Heathrow.

BAA chief executive Colin Matthews said the closure was important to the modernisation of Heathrow.

"We look forward to the new Terminal 2 providing a new home for the Star Alliance and a better experience for our passengers," said Mr Matthews.

After it's opening in 2014, a second phase of construction will begin that would extend facilities into the Terminal 1 site and is expected to finish by 2019.

The last Terminal 1 passengers were on an Air France flight to Paris.