London Heathrow operator BAA has outlined its plan for the airport after the opening of Terminal 5, as it prepares to accommodate the needs of the three major alliances and the Airbus A380. "When Terminal 5 comes online in 2008, we are facing the relocating of 40 airlines," says BAA business and strategic development director Eryl Smith.
The key to the shake-up is the relocation of British Airways from Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 to Terminal 5, which is due to take place "overnight" when the new terminal opens in the second quarter of 2008. Terminal 5, along with Terminal 3, will become the BA/oneworld alliance hub for Heathrow. The displacement will free Terminal 1 for the progressive relocation of all the Star Alliance-aligned carriers, says Smith, while SkyTeam alliance members will congregate at Terminal 4.
Terminal 3 will also be used by other non-aligned carriers, such as the incumbent Virgin Atlantic, says Smith, while Terminal 4 could provide capacity for any future Heathrow long-haul operators that, for example, gain access to the airport through a Europe-US Open Skies deal.
As part of adaptations for the A380, several piers in Heathrow's central area are being truncated in conjunction with the repositioning of taxiways – including one of Terminal 2's two fingers. This development, combined with the increasing demand for larger aircraft stands, "will greatly constrain Terminal 2's apron", says Smith, meaning that "the existing concept of three individual central area terminals will change".
Modifications are well advanced to accommodate the A380, with an all-new four-contact gate pier under construction at Terminal 3 and two stands to be modified at Terminal 4. These will be ready for the A380 when services begin in mid-2006.
MAX KINGSLEY-JONES LONDON
Source: Airline Business
