NEW YORK, March 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Her Majesty The Queen officially opens British Airways' exclusive new GBP 4.3 billion home today -- London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5.
Built on time and on budget by airport operator BAA, the new terminal will open for business for up to 30 million passengers a year in thirteen days' time on March 27, 2008.
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 will initially be greeted by hundreds of airport and construction workers, in front of a backdrop of giant screens, depicting shots celebrating the construction of Terminal 5.
The Royal Party will be met at the departures concourse of Terminal 5 by Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of airport operator BAA, which has funded the long-awaited development.
Also present, will be the Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport, Rafael del Pino, Executive Chairman Grupo Ferrovial which owns BAA, as well as British Airways chairman Martin Broughton and British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh.
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."
Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of BAA, 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."
Prior to inaugurating Terminal 5, The Queen, alongside 800 invited guests including senior figures from government, the worldwide aviation industry, business and airport workers, will enjoy a musical finale by a 30-strong choir, led by award-winning composer and musician Steve Sidwell. The choir will perform a specially commissioned choral composition, to mark the new terminal coming to life.
The bright, airy 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.
Some 60,000 people have put in 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.
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Notes to editors:
* For media enquiries, please contact the BA Americas Communications team at americas.communications@ba.com or 347 418 4100. * The first flight move to Terminal 5 will be on March 27. For the Americas, this includes Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. * The remainder of the Americas Heathrow services will transfer to Terminal 5 as part of the second major flight move on April 30. * Dallas Fort Worth and Houston services will transfer from London Gatwick to London Heathrow Terminal 4 on March 30 and then to Terminal 5 on April 30. * Further information about Terminal 5 can be found at www.terminal5.ba.com.