Heathrow has begun the countdown to the opening of its new Terminal 2 in exactly one year’s time.
The UK hub airport has announced that the new £2.5 billion terminal will begin operating on June 4, 2014, with its first incoming flight due to be a United service from Chicago at 05.55 on that date.
The privately-funded terminal will eventually be home to 23 Star Alliance airlines as well as Aer Lingus, Virgin Atlantic’s Little Red domestic operation and Germanwings.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s development director, said: “The new Terminal 2 has been designed around the needs of our passengers, to allow them to get to and from their flights as quickly as possible.
“Like Terminal 5, it will promise world class customer service and a warm welcome to Britain, which visitors expect from the UK’s hub airport.
“This next step in Heathrow's transformation will deliver a better journey for passengers, a more efficient and reliable infrastructure for airlines and additional jobs, trade and economic growth for the UK.”
Terminal 2, which will undergo six months of tests before opening, will cater for 20 million passengers per year and feature 52 shops plus 17 bars and restaurants.
Heathrow is also to offer business travellers a short-stay car park with “space finding technology” as well as self-service check-in facilities and wifi access before they board their flight.
The new terminal will replace the original Terminal 2 building which was demolished in 2009 after 54 years in operation.
heathrowairport.com