Airport News
New York link added to Heathrow
Sun, 31 Jan, 2010
A new route linking London Heathrow to New York has been announced by Continental Airways.
The number of journeys the carrier makes from the London hub to Newark Airport is set to increase to four a day from March.
In October, a further daily trip will take place, taking the total number of trips between the two cities to five.
Customers looking to fly to America with the airline from the capital's largest airport also have the option of a twice-daily service to Houston.
Chief executive of Continental Airways Jeff Smisek said: "All our London to New York customers will benefit from more flight options, while those travelling in BusinessFirst will be assured of a flat bed seat whenever they choose to fly with us."
Heathrow has also recently enjoyed the addition of a non-stop link to the Taiwanese capital Taipei by China Airlines, the first of its kind flying from the UK, set to commence in March this year.
London Heathrow Airport flight slots 'available to all airlines'
Fri, 16 Oct, 2009
London Heathrow Airport flight slots are open to any operator, according to British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh.
Speaking to the International Aviation Club, Mr Walsh dismissed claims that slots at London Heathrow Airport would not be made available to airlines not currently operating services from the site.
The US-EU Open Skies agreement, which was made in 2008, means that any US or EU airline can now operate flights from London Heathrow Airport to America.
"As soon as it came into effect, the number of operators flying between Heathrow and the US more than doubled," Mr Walsh said.
He argued similar rules should apply to flights in America, where alliances Star and Skyteam hold an effective duopoly on airport flights.
British Airways recently announced a two-year pay freeze for cabin crew staff, as the airline bids to cut costs.
Trade union Unite, which is representing the workers, has not ruled out the possibility of strike action affecting London Heathrow Airport, where British Airways operates many of its flights.
London Heathrow Airport to benefit from long-haul offer
Mon, 12 Oct, 2009
London Heathrow Airport is set to benefit from an offer on a variety of long-haul destinations from Malaysia Airlines.
Passengers will be able to fly to Kuala Lumpur and Denpasar-Bali for £479 each, along with Phuket for £499.
Under the terms of the offer, bookings must be made by October 31st 2009 on flights departing London Heathrow Airport from now up until May 31st 2010.
Low-cost fares will also apply to Malaysia Airlines' services to Australia and New Zealand, with flights to Sydney costing £679 and tickets to Auckland priced at £669.
Business class fares to these destinations have also been reduced to under £3,000, although the offer on these fares only applies to flights leaving before December 31st 2009.
From October 29th 2009 Malaysia Airlines is shifting its operations at London Heathrow Airport from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4, opening a new lounge there for business and first-class passengers.
London Heathrow Airport could be hit by BA strikes
Thu, 08 Oct, 2009
London Heathrow Airport would see many of its flights seriously affected if strikes by British Airways (BA) staff go ahead.
Industrial action could be possible in the UK after trade union Unite reacted furiously to an announcement by BA that cabin crew staff must accept longer hours or leave the company.
The 14,000 BA cabin crew employees have been told that they must make their decision on the two-year pay freeze by November 16th 2009.
Unite has refused to rule out the possibility of strike action and warned of a long, drawn-out confrontation with BA unless it withdraws the proposal.
More than 90 per cent of British Airways flights from London Heathrow Airport now operate from Terminal 5.
Steve Turner, Unite officer for aviation, said: "Unite will vigorously defend BA's loyal staff and its customer base and will not see standards driven into the ground by this management team."
But BA said it hoped to avoid strikes and was due to hold a meeting with Unite next week.
Birmingham Airport 'could replace third Heathrow runway'
Wed, 07 Oct, 2009
The boss of Birmingham Airport has welcomed Conservative plans to scrap the proposed third runway at London Heathrow Airport and said his site is ready to act as a replacement.
Birmingham Airport chief executive officer Paul Kehoe welcomed a proposal from shadow transport secretary Teresa Villiers that greater use of Birmingham Airport would be a greener alternative to a third runway.
Mr Kehoe told the Birmingham Post that the airport was ready to respond to the challenge.
"By attracting those who waver towards Heathrow to use Birmingham instead, we will create jobs and help to rebuild the local economy," he said.
Ms Villiers had said that there comes a point when putting more flights into the same crowded corner of England imposed an unacceptably high cost on quality of life and the environment.
Birmingham Airport currently serves around nine million passengers a year, in comparison with the 64 million people using London Heathrow Airport each year.
London Heathrow Airport trials security queue-jump
Mon, 05 Oct, 2009
London Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 is to allow travellers to jump immigration queues in a trial scheme in 2010, according to media reports.
Passengers will be able to use automated fast gates if they are willing to pay up to £50 for the privilege, in line with similar schemes already in operation at Luton Airport and Liverpool Airport.
London Heathrow Airport already operates eye-recognition technology to process passengers with biometric passports more quickly through security checks.
But 28 million people in the UK do not yet own biometric passports and it is these customers that the new scheme is aimed at.
After paying the fee, travellers supply details of their faces to the border authorities, who will then allow them to pass through the biometric gates when they get to the airport.
Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport is currently undergoing a £200 million redevelopment programme that will see new shops and facilities added to it.
London Heathrow Airport terminal switch for Etihad
Fri, 02 Oct, 2009
Etihad Airways has moved its London Heathrow Airport operations from Terminal 3 to Terminal 4.
The national airline of the United Arab Emirates will now fly its three daily flights to Abu Dhabi from the new location.
It is part of a multi-million pound investment in Terminal 4 by BAA that will also see new shops and facilities added to the terminal.
Colin Matthews, London Heathrow Airport's chief executive, said: "We are investing £200 million at Terminal 4, rebuilding many parts of the terminal, providing passengers with a new, modern airport building that offers improved facilities and higher standards of service."
To coincide with the move Etihad has opened a new lounge for its first class passengers opposite its new departure gates.
The premium lounge boasts five-star dining facilities along with a spa service offering massages and facials.
BAA is also spending a further £1 billion rebuilding Terminal 2 and recently began demolition of the Queens Building to make room for the redevelopment.
BA seat reservation charges 'can be avoided'
Wed, 30 Sep, 2009
New seat reservation charges from British Airways, which operates many flights from London Heathrow Airport, can be avoided by reserving your seat for free at check in, according to the Air Transport Users Council (AUC).
The airline has recently announced that passengers who want to reserve a seat would have to pay up to £60 for the privilege.
But the service is optional and customers can still choose seats for free at check in.
Jason Fremantle, AUC industry affairs manager, said: "Passengers haven't got much of a problem as it is an additional service."
But he added that families who wish to sit together on a flight may be better to pay the fee that will reserve their seats.
He said the AUC had no problem with the optional charges, which he believes have been brought in by British Airways after it observed the success of Ryanair in making money from extra fees.
Bmi and Brussels Airlines extend Heathrow Airport codeshare agreement
Fri, 18 Sep, 2009
Brussels Airlines flights to London Heathrow Airport will be operated in codeshare with bmi, it has been announced.
This will allow passengers flying between the British and Belgian capitals to choose from nine daily flights, seven arriving at London Heathrow and two at London Gatwick.
It is thought that the services will prove popular with business travellers, city trippers and those with onward connections beyond Brussels.
The airlines began co-operating from the start of this summer on routes from Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, East Midlands, Bristol, Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle.
Thanks to the agreement, Brussels Airlines has been able to add nine UK airports to its portfolio, which translates as 30 daily services between Brussels Airport and Britain.
Flights are spread throughout the day, from the early morning to late in the evening. The convenient schedule also allows for smooth onward connections to Brussels Airlines' African flights.
From October 25th, Brussels Airlines will introduce 12 weekly flights between the Belgian capital and Linate, Milan's city airport.
Heathrow Airport parking on the cards for public officials
Thu, 27 Aug, 2009
Public-sector employees may wish to get in some early bookings for airport parking at both Heathrow and Manchester following an announcement by Finnair.
According to the Nordic airline, it will now be catering for public sector flights from London to Osaka in Japan and to Helsinki from Manchester.
The deal will last until 2011 at the earliest, although there is an option for Finnair and the UK government to agree to a one year extension depending on how successful the services are.
"This is a significant win for Finnair's Asian strategy," said the airline's head of UK sales Tomi Hanninen.
He explained that it was chosen because of the savings that it can offer as well as its choice to operate a modern, environmentally-friendly fleet of aircraft.
Meanwhile, Jet2.com recently unveiled three new routes from Manchester Airport which could attract summer holidaymakers looking for breaks in Kos, Venice and Gran Canaria.
Heathrow Airport appoints resident writer
Wed, 19 Aug, 2009
Heathrow Airport has employed a resident writer to park himself in Terminal five in the aid of research.
Philosopher Alain de Botton will take residence in the terminal for a week and be given 'access all areas' to talk to customers and staff about their experience of the airport.
His collected writing from the week will be published in a book.
Mr Botton, writing for the London Evening Standard, revealed his thoughts on the position.
He wrote: "I was lucky to be picked for the job but I had a few long nights of the soul before accepting.
"The airport is full of emotion, both in departures and arrivals. For example, there is no one, however lonely or isolated, however pessimistic about the human race, however preoccupied with the payroll, who does not in the end expect that someone significant will come to meet him at arrivals."
Heathrow Airport also recently announced plans for a £1 billion overhaul of its Terminal two, which include an effort to produce 40 per cent less CO2 emissions.
July was third busiest in Heathrow Airport's history
Mon, 17 Aug, 2009
Heathrow Airport has reported one of the most successful months in its history.
Just under 6.5 million passengers passed through the travel hub in July, which represents a 0.9 per cent rise on the same month last year, according to BAA figures.
BAA, which also owns a number of other UK airports, also reported that Glasgow Airport reported a rise in passenger traffic during the period.
The Scottish airport showed a 5.6 per cent growth in passenger numbers and is the fourth month in a row that it has showed an increase, reaching just over 818,000 people.
Among the company's other airports Stansted and Gatwick both suffered declining visitor numbers, although the fall was not as pronounced as in June.
The bad weather in Britain has been attributed with a last minute surge in foreign holidays, which could explain the success at some of Britain's largest airports.
Heathrow Airport unveils futuristic passenger transporter
Tue, 11 Aug, 2009
A driverless battery-powered pod that is designed to transport passengers and luggage around Heathrow Airport is on show at the Science Museum in London.
The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system will be used to move people from Heathrow's Terminal Five to the business car park section of the airport from 2010.
PRT is a British designed futuristic pod system, which is controlled remotely by computer and is 50 per cent more efficient than a traditional bus, according to the manufacturer.
The £25 million project has been designed by Advanced Transport Systems (ATS) and the pods can reach speeds of around 45 kmh.
John Holland Kaye, commercial director of ATS said: "I am excited about the trialling of Personal Rapid Transit at Heathrow and am proud of the dedicated work of staff to deliver this pioneering project.
"When launched, the PRT trial will offer an exciting, quick and environmentally friendly option for passengers travelling from the business car park to Terminal 5."
Heathrow Airports unveils Terminal Two plans
Mon, 10 Aug, 2009
Heathrow Airport has today (August 10th) announced plans for a £1 billion new terminal which will house Star Alliance airlines.
Terminal Two will be the new home of the airline and plans to use 40 per cent less carbon than the current terminal.
Star Alliance airlines is due to service some 20 million passengers annually from the new facility which Mike Brown, Heathrow Airport's chief operating officer has called part of a "major programme of work".
He said: "These exciting plans will be a reality for millions of Heathrow's passengers, making every passenger journey a better one and underlining Heathrow's pre-eminent position at the heart of international travel and the global economy.
"Passengers travelling through Heathrow will be using new and extensively refurbished facilities, which provide us with an excellent platform from which we can provide a better service to our customers than ever before."
The first phase of the new construction is due to be completed in 2013 with a second phase, which plans to develop the capacity of the terminal still further to 30 million passengers annually, to be unveiled in 2019.
Heathrow Airport expansion opponents will get their day in court
Fri, 07 Aug, 2009
A High Court ruling has gone in favour of protestors to the planned third runway at Heathrow Airport as it is decided that they have a right to a legal challenge to the plans.
Transport secretary Geoff Hoon gave his backing to the controversial expansion in January but the issue will now be decided in court due to the level of public interest.
A coalition of local councils and a number of charities including Greenpeace and WWF-UK will be involved in the hearing and claim that installing a third runway and sixth terminal at the international travel-hub flies in the face of emissions promises made by the government.
Lord Justice Dobbs said: "There are some areas in which clarification is desirable, including the issue of the defendant's statement to parliament."
The Department of Transport has stood by the announcement of support from Geoff Hoon and BAA is keen to stress the positive impact the runway would have on Britain's economy.
New Aer Lingus flights for Heathrow Airport
Wed, 22 Jul, 2009
Aer Lingus has announced that it will be adding to its Shannon to Heathrow roster.
Two-years after the travel operator ceased flights between the two hubs, but has recently re-opened the route and has now added the extra flight.
The new mid-day flight will give air passengers a greater choice when booking a trip between Shannon and London.
Aer Lingus corporate affairs director noted that the reason for the change was "demand from the region".
He said: "The increased frequency will connect Shannon and London Heathrow three times daily, which will further strengthen business, leisure and connecting traffic between the west of Ireland and Europe's largest international airport."
Bookings for the new flight will be taken from Thursday (July 23rd).
Heathrow Airport is the busiest international airport in the world and is serviced by more than 90 airlines.
Flights from heathrow travel to around 180 destinations globally and more than 65 million passengers pass through its doors every year.
BCC: Lack of third runway at Heathrow costing UK billions
Tue, 14 Jul, 2009
The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) has claimed that delays over the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport are costing the UK economy billions.
According to the Economic Impact of Hub Airports report the two runways that are currently in operation at Heathrow are operating at nearly 99 per cent and the congestion from this is costing the taxpayer.
The report states that for every year that the controversial expansion fails to materialise Britain will lose between £900 million and £1.1 billion.
Director general of the BCC, David Frost, said: "Connectivity is vital to the UK economy as businesses seek to develop new global opportunities that will allow them to generate wealth and jobs.
"Without additional capacity at our major hub airport, we will continue to fall behind our continental competitors."
However, critics of the report have pointed out that it does not take into account the environmental issues which surround the expansion.
Heathrow Airport's Terminal 3 completes refurb
Fri, 10 Jul, 2009
The check-in area of Heathrow's Terminal 3 has been refurbished ahead of schedule.
A total of £16 million has been spent on improving the area, with technology now installed to make the check-in process more efficient for passengers.
Rob Norrington, development leader of Terminal 3, said: "We've worked hard to refurbish check-in so that passengers flying away this summer enjoy the best airport experience possible.
"Check-in remained open throughout, which certainly added to the challenge; however we planned carefully and worked with our airline partners throughout."
There is currently £133 million worth of refurbishment work being undertaken at Terminal 3, which will eventually see it have the largest security search area in the whole of Heathrow Airport, with a total of 17 lanes.
New doors are to be fitted on the entrance of the terminal in the coming months and it is hoped that by 2011 the Immigration and Baggage Reclaim halls will see renovation work completed.
New branding for Heathrow Airport
Wed, 24 Jun, 2009
Heathrow Airport is being rebranded to put more emphasis on its retail capacity.
BAA is giving the airport the strapline "Making every journey better" and will promote it on the London Underground and at train stations.
There will also be advertorials placed in publications aimed at frequent and high-end flyers.
Nick Adderley, the marketing and insight director overseeing the relaunch, explained: "Brand Heathrow is about creating real understanding among travellers about why they should fly through our airport."
While shopping, food and drink feature in the rebranding, Heathrow's worldwide connections and hub status are also key components of the campaign.
Earlier this month, BAA reported that Heathrow had seen a 3.9 per cent fall in its passenger numbers for May compared to the same month in 2008.
This compared to an overall decline of 7.3 per cent for all BAA's airports.
BAA said that the figures were in line with passenger traffic trends that had been recorded since December.
Airports could close over strike action
Mon, 15 Jun, 2009
Air travel staff are threatening to strike in a dispute over pay.
BAA told unions that it did not have enough money to give pay rises, according to the Daily Mirror.
But after union heads agreed on a pay freeze for 4,000 workers, it was discovered that a £1.3 million dividend was issued to shareholders by BAA's owner, Spanish firm Ferrovial.
A source for Unite union told the paper that it was possible workers would strike, saying they were "disgusted".
BAA said that discussions were "private and ongoing", adding that there is a "sustained difficult period" for the aviation sector.
All seven BAA airports, including Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Edinburgh, could close if there is a strike.
Meanwhile, a Civil Aviation Authority report has found that airport punctuality has improved in the UK.
It said that 81 per cent of flights took off or landed on time from January to March.
During the same period in 2008, the figure was 70 per cent.
Figures drop in May for BAA
Wed, 10 Jun, 2009
UK airport operator BAA has reported a fall in its traffic for last month.
The organisation, which is responsible for seven airports and is owned by Spanish firm Grupo Ferrovial, suffered a 7.3 per cent slide in passenger numbers in May.
Stansted experienced a drop of 18.5 per cent, with the decreases for Aberdeen and Glasgow being 14.1 per cent and 11.7 per cent respectively.
Gatwick had a 6.5 per cent decline and Heathrow's was 3.9 per cent.
But Edinburgh saw a rise of 1.4 per cent.
BAA said that demand is low but the trend had not seen a significant change since December.
Travellers can make bookings for airport parking online through the BAA website.
According to the organisation, this can be a cheaper option as well as making sure an airport parking bay is available.
BAA's prices are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Competition Commission.
London Heathrow Airport gains new flights to Spain
Wed, 20 May, 2009
London Heathrow Airport has gained new flights to Spain, it has been reported.
Budget carrier Clickair is relocating its routes to the capital's western hub on June 1st, according to Travel Mole.
The services to Bilbao, La Coruna, Vigo and Seville were previously run from nearby Gatwick.
Revisions to the timetable mean there will be no Seville service on a Thursday between July 1st and September 15th this year.
The new flights join a long list of destinations Britain's biggest airport offers flights to.
Aberdeen, Abu Dhabi, Geneva, Hong Kong and other towns and cities across the globe are among these.
Those choosing to drive to the hub are advised it is accessible from the M25 and M4 motorways.
It has a number of airport parking options, including long and short-stay areas.
People wanting to get the best route for their trip could visit the AA's website or input the postcode TW6 1AP into their satnav devices.
London Heathrow Airport passengers offered BA deals
Tue, 05 May, 2009
London Heathrow Airport businesses passengers could be interested in a number of British Airways deals which have been announced recently.
The airline is offering two-for-one discounts on many of its long-haul routes from the hub, including its services to Cape Town, New York and Rio de Janeiro.
Miami and Hong Kong are among the other destinations included in the offer. Deals from London Gatwick Airport are also available.
Travel can be undertaken on selected days between June and October in the Club World cabins.
The offer is available until midnight tonight (May 5th).
Head of UK and Ireland sales at BA Richard Tams said it was a "fabulous" chance to fly "in style".
"This builds on our initiative to help business, which we announced earlier this week in our BAcking Britain campaign - offering £15 million worth of free flights to small and medium-sized enterprises," he said.
There are a number of London Heathrow Airport parking options available to drivers.
Those using satnav systems can input the postcode TW6 2GA to gain directions to Terminal 5 - the other four take-off facilities are easily signposted from here.
London Heathrow Airport 'could gain flights to Afghanistan'
Wed, 29 Apr, 2009
London Heathrow Airport could gain flights to Afghanistan, according to one of the Asian country's airline.
Ariana – which is banned by the European Union from flying in UK airspace at present – has announced its intention to the Telegraph.
Its president and chief executive Captain Moin Khan Wadak told the newspaper: "God willing, we will be flying to Heathrow. If not … then Gatwick."
The news provider reports that the firm is keen to begin the service after the fall of the Taliban and the recovery of the economy in the country.
The airline used to fly to and from the capital's facility to Kabul until the early 1990s and has since faced UN sanctions.
Meanwhile, a domestic flight was hit by hijackers in 2000, which eventually landed at London Stansted Airport.
Heathrow is located in to the west of England's capital, close to the M4 and M25 motorways.
Those with satnavs wishing to take advantage of airport parking options can get accurate directions by inputting the postcodes of the Terminals – for 1 it is TW6 1AP and for 2 TW6 1EW.
London Heathrow Airport launches "power poles"
Thu, 16 Apr, 2009
London Heathrow Airport passengers will now be able to recharge their mobile devices at the hub, after BAA launched a number of "power poles".
A total of forty seven of the electricity stations are located throughout departure lounges in the facility, giving travellers the ability to top up the batteries of their laptops, electric razors and BlackBerries.
Each pole can restore power to up to eight gadgets at a time.
Juan Perez, the firm's head of media and sponsorship, commented that they are a "cost-free solution" to a real problem.
"The simplest of ideas are often the best," he said. "[They] will ultimately make our passengers' airport experience more enjoyable."
A total of £300,000 was spent on their design and installation, which was sponsored by electronics giant Samsung.
They are only available in Terminals One and Three at the moment, with an expansion to Terminals Two, Four and Five planned in the future.
London Heathrow Airport is located in the borough of Hillingdon, just off the M4 motorway.
Anti airport expansion protester throws green custard at Mandelson
Fri, 06 Mar, 2009
A protestor from Plane Stupid has thrown green custard over the business secretary.
Leila Deen emptied the cornflower paste, which had green dye mixed into it, over Peter Mandelson as a form of protest over the expansion of Heathrow Airport.
She complained to Sky News that it was unethical for him to be attending a low-carbon strategy conference while supporting the airport expansion and said the only green thing about him "is the slime coursing through his veins".
Lord Mandelson commented afterwards to the news broadcaster: "She was so busy throwing what seemed like green soup or something in my face that she failed to tell me what the protest was about."
Last week, Liberal Democrat MP Susan Kramer tabled a ten minute bill to make MPs have to vote through any major expansion of airports.
The bill succeeded and will now go on to the next stage, a full bill.
BAA profits fall
Thu, 26 Feb, 2009
BAA is suffering from dropping profits as passenger numbers fall and fuel prices rise.
Stansted has seen a six per cent slump in profits, going from £476 million to £23 million.
Passenger numbers for BAA have fallen by 2.7 per cent.
Colin Matthews, chief executive, said that 2009 looks to be "challenging" and acknowledging that the economic climate is expected to affect passenger volume.
Combined, Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick experienced a fall of 2.6 per cent, or 3.4 million fewer passengers.
But for the former, the passenger numbers declines by a relatively low 1.4 per cent.
Airport company BAA is regulated by the Competition Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority for its prices.
Owned by Ferrovial, its airports are in London, Scotland and Southampton.
Its Scottish hubs are in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
It states on its website that it has "a clear accountability to both public duty as well as to our passengers".
Snow continues to impact airports
Thu, 05 Feb, 2009
Snowy conditions are continuing to hold up air travel at airports.
Birmingham International Airport is open but the runway will be closed periodically in order to clear it, the BBC reported.
According to the Birmingham Mail, seven flights were cancelled and two flights coming in to the airport had to be diverted.
The airport itself says that it has been affected by heavy snowfall and that, while open, some flights are delayed.
Passengers are advised to use the airport website's flight information facility or check with airlines to find out about the current state of affairs.
The BBC also reported that Inverness Airport has reopened but that the A9 road between the city and Aviemore had been closed due to the snow.
Wick Airport was also closed but has reopened.
A number of flights at Heathrow Airport in north London have been cancelled or delayed over the past few days due to the weather conditions.
Heathrow operating 'near-full service'
Wed, 04 Feb, 2009
Flight schedules at Heathrow Airport are returning to normal following chaos during yesterday's (February 2nd) snowy winter weather.
According to a bulletin on the airport's website, while drivers are still encouraged to leave extra time for their journey and to contact their airline directly about any delays, both runways are now open and airlines are working to ensure that disruption is as minimal as possible.
British Airways, which yesterday suspended all of its flights to and from Heathrow for several hours, announced that by February 4th, it intends to operate the "vast majority" of flights into and out of Heathrow Airport.
It said that despite operational difficulties on Monday and today, it anticipates that all travellers who are booked on a British Airways flight out of Heathrow will be able to leave as planned.
However, the airline cautioned that all passengers should make sure to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
MP quits over Heathrow expansion
Wed, 28 Jan, 2009
A Labour MP has quit in protest at the plans for a new runway at Heathrow Airport.
The BBC reports how Andrew Slaughter resigned his post over the issue.
In a Commons debate on the issue, shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said the economic reasons given by the pro-expansion camp were "wholly unconvincing".
But transport secretary Geoff Hoon said the Tories had not given definitions of where they would set the mark for air and noise pollution and had not given a "basis" for its opposition.
Meanwhile, the Guardian reports how local authorities who oppose the expansion have called for a new rail network to be established around the airport.
The group of councils, known as 2M, has drawn up a proposal which it says would let 40 trains go through the airport every hour with a new network set up with connections to mainline trains.
There would even be a high-speed service between London and Scotland.
Heathrow expansion alternative given by mayor
Mon, 26 Jan, 2009
The mayor of London has explained an alternative to the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport.
Boris Johnson called on politicians to consider the £40 billion proposal for a new airport on the Thames Estuary.
This would include four runways and, it is claimed, be constructed within eight years.
Heathrow's expansion is estimated to cost £13 billion.
Mr Johnson confirmed to the Sunday Times that he plans to make a legal challenge to the Heathrow expansion plans.
"I'm convinced this is an option we should look at seriously and the government's decision on Heathrow makes it all the more urgent that we came up with alternatives," he told the paper.
Last week, Mr Johnson spoke to the BBC of his wish for MPs to vote on the plans for Heathrow's third runway.
"They haven't got the guts to call a parliamentary vote on this one," he told BBC reporter Andrew Marr.
Heathrow runway plans get the go ahead
Thu, 15 Jan, 2009
Plans to build a new runway at London Heathrow Airport have been approved, provided they adhere to strict pollution and noise standards, the transport secretary has said.
Geoff Hoon announced that the expansion plans will allow Heathrow to remain an attractive destination for business passengers and are "critical to long-term economic prosperity" in Britain.
The construction of a third runway at the London hub is supported by business leaders, but some environmentalists remain unconvinced.
However, the Telegraph reported that prime minister Gordon Brown voiced strong support for the project during a visit to Berlin.
"It is always our desire to make sure that we protect the economic future of the country while at the same time meeting the very tough environmental conditions that we have set ourselves for noise and pollution and for climate change," he stated.
Willie Walsh, chief executive officer of British Airways, has previously suggested that a third runway at Heathrow will boost jobs and investment in the UK.
Heathrow T5 offers 'best airport shopping in Britain'
Thu, 08 Jan, 2009
Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport offers the best airport shopping in the country, according to retail guru Mary Portas.
Writing for the Telegraph, she said the UK can be "proud" of the shopping and dining experience at T5, which she gave a four out of five star rating.
With 112 outlets in total, navigating the terminal is not easy, she noted. However, there is plenty of choice for those will time to kill before their flight.
She said there are a wide range of shops selling items such as clothing, cosmetics, souvenirs, electricals, food and wine and duty-free.
"The beauty hall impressed me, anchored by a gorgeous Chanel concession selling the house's entire range of cosmetics, sunglasses and skincare," Ms Portas wrote.
In terms of food, one of the best restaurants is Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food, she claimed, insisting it has "transformed" airport dining.
London Heathrow Airport plans to invest £6.2 billion over the next decade for the rebuilding and refurbishing of existing terminals.
BA predicts top ten long haul destinations for 2009
Wed, 31 Dec, 2008
British Airways (BA) has predicted which ten destinations will prove the most popular with passengers taking long haul flights from UK airports in 2009.
Top of the list is Cape Town in South Africa, followed closely by its neighbour Johannesburg. BA expects the British Lions Tour to attract tourists to the latter.
Exotic destinations such as Dubai, St Kitts and St Lucia are also expected to be big in 2009, as well as world cities such as Sydney, New York and Shanghai.
Richard Tams, head of UK and Ireland sales at BA, said its research shows that the next year will not be all "doom and gloom" for the airline industry.
Indeed, he said "savvy" passengers know there are some great bargains to be had on long haul destinations such as those appearing in the top ten.
British Airways will be the official airline of the British Lions Tour to South Africa in 2009, operating flights from London Heathrow Airport to Johannesburg.
BA to resume Jeddah, Riyadh flights
Fri, 28 Nov, 2008
British Airways (BA) has announced that it is to resume services to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia from London Heathrow Airport.
The flights will start up again on March 29th 2009 and will operate five times a week from Terminal 5, the airline said.
Services to Riyadh will fly on Boeing 777 aircraft, while flights to Jeddah will operate on a Boeing 767.
The UK and Saudi Arabian governments announced in June that they had agreed to increase the maximum number of weekly services operated by each country's airlines between the two nations from 13 to 35.
BA's Jeddah and Riyadh flights had been suspended in March 2005.
"Resuming these flights makes commercial sense. The oil market is increasingly important globally and inward investment into Saudi Arabia has risen considerably in the last couple of years," commented Robert Boyle, commercial director at BA.
Meanwhile, BA's flights to Atlanta from London Gatwick Airport will move to Heathrow on March 29th 2009.
Heathrow takes steps to display green credentials
Fri, 28 Nov, 2008
London Heathrow Airport has said that is taking action to make its commitment to fighting climate change clearer to the public.
The airport said earlier this week that it was to ask the government to appoint an independent assessor to ensure the public can have confidence that it will meet noise and air quality limits should an expansion be approved.
It explained that the airport will only increase the number of flights it operates if it builds a third runway if these services allow it to meet environmental targets.
Heathrow is also taking steps to be more environmentally-friendly when it comes to aircraft stacking and runway queuing, it said.
"By calling on an independent assessor to scrutinise the airport's performance against these limits, we are providing an uncompromising assurance that we will operate Heathrow Airport within the limits laid down by government," explained Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA.
Meanwhile, a development scheme at Heathrow's Terminal 4 recently celebrated the topping out of a new check-in extension that will create more space for passengers.
Heathrow Airport expansion 'must go ahead'
Mon, 24 Nov, 2008
The proposed expansion of London Heathrow Airport is essential if Britain is to retain its competitive edge in the aviation industry.
This is according to British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh, who said that the industry could be held back by 30 years if the plans are turned down and that the discussions have gone on too long.
"It is clearer than ever that UK businesses must be provided with the kind of high-quality worldwide connectivity that is essential for success in a globalised economy," he commented at a conference in London.
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly unveiled a list of possible plans last week, which include proposals for a 2,200-metre third runway and a sixth terminal to be built by 2020 if they are agreed.
The Terminal 5 building at London Heathrow Airport is currently the largest free-standing building in the UK.
It took 19 years to complete from initial design to opening and cost £4 billion.
BMI cuts fuel surcharges
Tue, 04 Nov, 2008
Budget carrier BMI has announced that it is to cut its fuel surcharges on all flights within the UK and to Europe.
The airline said the price reduction shows the company's commitment to pass on any savings to its customers.
Peter Spencer, BMI managing director, said: "BMI has always been a market leader in UK and Europe and is committed to providing the best value flights backed up by our renowned friendly service."
BMI is the second biggest airline at London Heathrow Airport and offers flights to Amsterdam, Brussels, Jersey, Naples and Venice, among other destinations.
The news follows announcements last month that both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic were to cut their fuel surcharges.
Both firms said the decision came in response to falls in the prices of oil and jet fuel.
Meanwhile, BMI also recently announced a number of new services for summer 2009, including Almeria and Toulouse.
London Heathrow Airport 'at risk' from climate change
Mon, 27 Oct, 2008
A specialist insurance provider has warned that climate change in the UK could have serious impacts upon infrastructure including airports.
Lloyd's produced a Realistic Disaster Scenario for 2009, which included the consequences of a severe flood.
It found that flooding around the Thames Valley area could cause monetary losses of £6.2 billion, as well as severe disruption to the motorways and London Heathrow Airport.
Paul Nunn, head of exposure management at Lloyd's, said that the scientific consensus is that global warming will cause more extreme rainfall events.
"Flooding here will give rise to a much larger insurance loss event than anywhere else in the UK. The disruption to Heathrow airport alone will result in material loss accumulations," he commented.
The research could have implications for risk management for UK airports in general.
In 2006 Heathrow was the busiest airport in Europe in terms of total passenger traffic and is currently the third busiest airport in the world.
A good night's sleep for London Heathrow Airport passengers?
Thu, 16 Oct, 2008
People travelling on flights to the US from London Heathrow Airport may be able to get a better night's sleep following an announcement from Delta Airlines.
The carrier has said that it will implement fully-reclining beds on its services to New York and Atlanta for business class passengers as of summer 2009.
Some 40 of the beds will be installed in each business class cabin, which will be 77 inches long and which will recline by 180 degrees, giving each person direct access to the aisle.
Glen Hauenstein, Delta executive vice-president of network planning and revenue management, said: "We are pleased to add the consistency of 180-degree full flat beds to all Delta flights operating at the world's No.1 business airport - Heathrow."
In addition, Delta, which operates services to 287 destinations in 58 countries, said it is to implement another daily non-stop flight to New York's JFK aiport, bringing the total to three and allowing travellers to choose between morning, early evening or late evening departures.
Check-in time reduced to 40 minutes for Heathrow Airport T3
Thu, 25 Sep, 2008
Upper Class passengers travelling on Virgin Atlantic flights from terminal 3 at London Heathrow Airport can now benefit from reduced check-in times.
The carrier has announced that the minimum check-in for such travellers is now 40 minutes, meaning that people going on trips for business or pleasure will be able to speed through security and go straight to the airport lounge.
Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic chief executive, said it is the fastest available journey through an airport in the UK.
"This fastly superior experience has been made possible by the introduction of our award winning Upper Class Wing, which was launched in November last year," he added.
The Upper Class Wing allows people to be taken in their limos up a curved ramp onto an arrival area.
After being welcomed by a Virgin Atlantic host, check-in formalities are completed and the passenger goes straight to security.
Earlier this month, Virgin Atlantic has announced that it is to carry out surveys on its passengers in order to improve the customer service it provides.
Research company eDigitalResearch is to assist the airline with the implementation of the polls, which will cover a number of areas, including call centre services and website use.
Business in support of new runway for London Heathrow Airport
Tue, 16 Sep, 2008
A group of 100 businesses has voiced support for the construction of a third runway at London Heathrow Airport.
Organisations including Hilton Hotels and the British Chamber of Commerce have signed a letter in the Financial Times to say that the expansion of the airport is essential for the British economy.
Richard Lambert, director general of the Confederation of British Industry, said Heathrow is full and that routes will be vulnerable if the airport cannot continue to offer competitive services.
"A third runway, built and operated within the strict environmental limits set by government, will ensure that Heathrow is able to provide the quality services that business and other travellers need," he commented.
It is expected that the government will make a decision on the third runway later this year.
London Heathrow is the busiest international airport in the world, according to the Heathrow Airport Guide, offering services to over 180 destinations worldwide with over 90 airlines.
Heathrow makes mobile phone history
Thu, 14 Aug, 2008
London Heathrow has claimed to be the first airport in the UK to have welcomed a flight that allowed passengers to use their mobile phone while on board.
The Emirates Boeing 777 flight from Dubai arrived in London last week.
According to Emirates, around 20 per cent of passengers had used their handsets on board, making around 30 calls.
The inflight mobile service is currently available on one in ten Emirates flights. Passengers can only use their phones once the aeroplane is above 23,000 feet.
Emirates spokesman Paul Brannelly said there were no complaints or incidents.
"The cabin noise level on airliners is such that you cannot hear people making phone calls and the call quality has been so good there has been no need to shout," he added.
Earlier this year, the European commission and regulator Ofcom gave the green light to carriers to develop inflight mobile phone systems.
Mayor calls for new London airport
Wed, 13 Aug, 2008
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, has called for a report into whether building a new international airport would help ease air traffic congestion at Heathrow and Gatwick.
The mayor said the need for a long-term solution to airport congestion in London is becoming increasingly urgent.
A new eco-friendly airport could be located in the east of London, he wrote in his Daily Telegraph column.
He expressed doubt that Heathrow's "bitterly contested" third runway will ever be built. Gatwick, meanwhile, is already "full to bursting".
With the 2012 London Olympics only fours years away, the capital has a responsibility to "sort this chaos out now", he said.
"The volume of passengers coming to London airports is a testimony to the attractions of the city and the dynamism of the British economy," Mr Johnson added.
Last month, the mayor postponed the decision as to whether London City Airport should be allowed to increase flights by 50 per cent.
Mr Johnson wants to wait until a study by the National Air Traffic Services is published.
Report endorses third Heathrow runway
Mon, 28 Jul, 2008
A new report has concluded that building a third runway at London Heathrow Airport is the best way to solve the problem of congestion.
The study, commissioned by the City of London Authority, rejected building extra capacity elsewhere in London.
It also discarded the notion of establishing a new airport in the Thames Gateway.
The report said that unless something is done about traffic around the airport and flight delays, Heathrow will remain unpopular with business leaders.
Dr Helen Hill, from the London Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the report, saying that it "proves beyond doubt" that a third runway is essential.
"London competes day-in day-out to attract business from around the world but we are starting to lose ground to other major cities because Heathrow is stretched to breaking point," she stated.
Environmental campaigners are not impressed and are apparently planning more protests.
High-speed Heathrow rail connection mooted
Thu, 24 Jul, 2008
A proposal to build a high-speed rail link between the Channel Tunnel and London Heathrow Airport has been put before the government.
The £4.5 billion plan was unveiled by engineering company Arup, which said the existing line from the Channel Tunnel to St Pancras could be extended to Heathrow by 2019.
If given the go-ahead, it would link the airport with regional rail services on the Great Western Main Line and provide a direct rail connection to mainland Europe.
The Conservatives have come out in support of the plan, saying it would help reduce congestion and pollution around Heathrow.
Meanwhile, a £16 billion railway link joining Canary Wharf with Heathrow has been approved by the House of Lords.
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said the new east London infrastructure would mean "major improvements" for the travelling public.
Kelly delays Heathrow decision
Mon, 14 Jul, 2008
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly has said the decision on whether to give the go ahead to a third runway at London Heathrow Airport is to be postponed.
Ms Kelly was due to announce her decision next month but this has been delayed in order to examine the views of the 70,000 individuals and organisations consulted over the proposed expansion.
Instead, a decision on the future of London Heathrow is to be reached by the end of the year.
"We also want to be sure ... that we fully understand how airport development might affect different groups in terms of race, disability, age or gender," she remarked.
Supporters of a third runway at London Heathrow say the expansion would protect London's reputation as an economic and financial services powerhouse.
Last month, the Sustainable Development Commission said plans to expand London Heathrow should be put on hold.
Virgin launches check-in incentive
Tue, 01 Jul, 2008
Passengers flying from three of the UK's biggest airports are being encouraged to check in online.
Virgin Atlantic has launched a promotion at London Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
Passengers who check in online for their flights between today (July 1st) and August 31st will be offered £10 reductions on selected fragrances from Virgin's inflight retail offerings.
Paul Dickinson, Virgin Atlantic's marketing director, remarked that the incentive is part of an effort to increase the number of people checking in online, which he says is much quicker.
"Online check-in is currently used by nearly a quarter of our passengers - we predict that this number will continue to increase over the coming months," he added.
Virgin operates dozens of long haul services from London and Manchester to destinations that include New York, LA, San Francisco, Cape Town, Cuba, Barbados and St Lucia.
BAA chief defends Heathrow expansion
Fri, 27 Jun, 2008
Colin Matthews, the chief executive of airports operator BAA, has defended calls for London Heathrow Airport to be expanded with a third runway.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that another runway at Heathrow would help address existing concerns about the quality of service at the airport.
Mr Matthews argued that greater capacity would help reduce delays and improve the relationship between passengers and staff.
"We have our runways used at something like 99 per cent of their capacity, which means that the slightest external shock knocks off the schedule for the whole day," he stated.
Moreover, a third runway would protect London's reputation as an economic and business powerhouse, he added.
Last month, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) said plans to expand London Heathrow should be put on hold.
Hugh Raven, who authored a report for the SDC, said questions still remain over the environmental and economic arguments for expansion.
London flight punctuality 'a mixed picture'
Wed, 18 Jun, 2008
The punctuality of scheduled flights at London's airports appears to be getting worse in some areas and better in others, according to new figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Between January and March 2008, only 56 per cent of flights at London Heathrow Airport were on time, compared with 65 per cent in the same period of 2007.
At London City Airport, 58 per cent of flights were on time, down 12 percentage points.
In contrast, London Luton, London Gatwick and London Stansted improved their punctuality performance in the first three months of the year when compared with 2007.
At Luton, for example, on-time performance increased by five percentage points to 76 per cent.
The Civil Aviation Authority is a public corporation, established in 1972 as an independent specialist aviation regulator.
Last month, Giovanni Bisignani, the head of the International Air Transport Association, criticised the regulator for authorising an 86 per cent hike in charges that airlines will have to pay to use Heathrow.
Virgin to increase Hong Kong flights
Fri, 13 Jun, 2008
Virgin Atlantic has announced it will soon fly from London Heathrow Airport to Hong Kong twice a day.
At present, the airline offers a daily flight between the two locations and it is thought the extra service will create 100 new cabin crew jobs.
The second daily service will start in October and Virgin says it will open up "fresh opportunities" for those passengers who wish to connect to other cities in the Far East.
"East is the new west and this second daily service will offer our passengers even more opportunities via Hong Kong," said Steve Ridgway, Virgin Atlantic chief executive.
Virgin's Hong Kong service is already the third-busiest long-haul route out of London Heathrow after New York JFK and Dubai.
"We offer a big 'thank you' to the Hong Kong Airport authorities for helping to make this extra service a reality," added Mr Ridgway.
Last month, Singapore Airlines announced it is increasing its A380 services in and out of London Heathrow Airport from seven to 11 times a week.
Heathrow failings could kill off regulator, says Virgin
Tue, 03 Jun, 2008
Virgin Atlantic has said criticism of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) by the head of the International Air Transport Association could spell the end for the UK regulator.
Paul Charles, a spokesman for Virgin, made his comments after Giovanni Bisignani criticised the CAA and London Heathrow Airport's apparently poor level of service.
"It's probably the last nail in the coffin for the regulatory system we have in this country," Mr Charles told Channel 4 News.
"It's not the right system. It doesn't act in the consumer's interest. It certainly doesn't act in the airline's interest."
Mr Charles went on to say that the CAA had failed to improve BAA's standard of service at London Heathrow Airport.
Earlier in the week, Mr Bisignani had said the CAA should not have authorised an 86 per cent hike in charges that airlines will have to pay to use London Heathrow Airport, which he described as a "national embarrassment".
Singapore Airlines increases A380 flights from Heathrow
Wed, 28 May, 2008
Singapore Airlines is to increase its A380 services to and from London Heathrow Airport, it has been announced.
The airline has said it will add an A380 service on the Singapore-London route on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This extra service will boost the number of A380 flights between the two cities from seven to 11 times a week.
Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines executive vice-president, said: "Our A380 products have been very well received by our customers and loads on the Singapore-London route have been exceptionally encouraging.
"The deployment of another A380 on this route will cater to continual strong demand from customers travelling between Singapore and London."
Last week, a Singapore Airlines A380 flight left Tokyo's Narita Airport for the first time. The aircraft, which had 420 passengers on board, was bound for Singapore.
BA to relocate key flights to Terminal 5
Tue, 13 May, 2008
British Airways (BA) has said it will move its service to New York JFK from Terminal 4 to Terminal 5 at London Heathrow Airport on June 5th.
The relocation of this flagship service will be joined by five other flights to seven destinations, including Beijing, Cairo and Lagos.
BA had intended to move 120 inbound and outbound daily services at the end of April but this was delayed because of the chaos at the new terminal.
Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, said: "We have taken this decision in the interests of customers, who remain our priority at all times.
"Terminal 5 is now working well, and we are pleased we can confirm our plan to move in some additional flights on June 5th."
Last month, BA announced it was stopping direct flights from Manchester to New York because it was loss-making.
However, Manchester Airport insists that BA had previously said the route was profitable.
Miliband supports Heathrow expansion
Fri, 09 May, 2008
The foreign secretary has dismissed claims from some quarters that a third runway at London Heathrow Airport is incompatible with the government's green agenda.
Speaking on BBC Two's Newsnight, David Miliband insisted that reducing carbon emissions could not be achieved by just focusing on aviation.
He said it does not matter how carbon reductions are reduced but what matters is that they come down "in total".
"We should remember aviation is actually six per cent of the total," he stated.
"It does not matter if we reduce them from buildings or from aviation or from surface transport."
He continued by saying that the climate change bill is going to require UK carbon emissions to come down by at least 60 per cent by the middle of the century.
Earlier this month, the thinktank Future Heathrow warned that failure to press ahead with growth at London Heathrow Airport is "not an option".
Lufthansa takes punctuality honours
Mon, 14 Apr, 2008
Lufthansa was the most punctual airline operating scheduled services from London Heathrow Airport during 2007, according to official statistics.
Figures compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and published by Flightontime.info show that Lufthansa's 20,810 flights during the year were an average of 12.22 minutes late.
The average delay for the 30 largest airlines running scheduled services from London Heathrow Airport was almost 20 minutes.
Marianne Sammann, Lufthansa's general manager for the UK and Ireland, said the figures showed why the airline has a reputation for reliability and "high service standards".
"This is particularly reassuring for passengers making onward connections through our main hubs of Frankfurt and Munich, as well as our developing mini-hubs at Dusseldorf and Hamburg," added Ms Sammann.
The CAA's figures show that bmi regional was the most punctual scheduled airline operating from the UK's airports last year, ahead of Eastern Airways and Brussels Airlines.
BA postpones long-haul switch
Mon, 14 Apr, 2008
British Airways (BA) has postponed plans to transfer its long-haul flights from London Heathrow Airport to Terminal Five.
The opening of the new terminal in late March was marred by problems with the baggage handling system, which caused BA to cancel scores of flights and forced thousands of people to reschedule their travel plans.
With those issues in mind the airline has decided to push back the switch of 60 long-haul services from Terminal Four to Terminal Five from the end of April until June.
Flights have been running on time from the new facility for the past few days, but BA chief executive Willie Walsh said the company still needed convincing the baggage handling system is capable of coping with larger passenger numbers before it can transfer the rest of its services.
"It is only sensible to ensure that Terminal Five is operating consistently at a high standard before the move begins," added Mr Walsh.
BA plans to contact customers affected by the change to its plans during the next few days.
Passenger numbers down at Heathrow
Thu, 10 Apr, 2008
A spate of flight cancellations saw passenger numbers at London Heathrow Airport fall last month.
Figures published by the airport's operator BAA show that 5,612,300 passengers travelled from Heathrow during March, a drop of 0.6 per cent from the corresponding period in 2007.
The reduction in passenger numbers came in a period that saw 300 flights cancelled because of the weather and a further 300 halted due to operational issues associated with the opening of the new Terminal 5.
London Stansted Airport also saw a drop in the number of people travelling, with its total of 1,824,200 representing a fall of 0.3 per cent.
However, passenger numbers at London Gatwick Airport increased by 8.1 per cent to 2,816,000.
The rise was a result of the increased popularity of domestic and European services from Gatwick. However, there was a fall in the number of people using the airport's transatlantic flights.
New transatlantic services from Heathrow
Tue, 01 Apr, 2008
Delta Air Lines and Air France have commenced flying on three new routes between London Heathrow Airport and the US.
Operating on a joint-venture basis, the two airlines will run daily direct services from Heathrow to Los Angeles International and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, together with two flights a day to New York John F Kennedy.
Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice president of network planning and revenue management, said the new routes build on the global system the airline has invested in establishing in recent years.
"Our new service to London Heathrow fills a key position in our portfolio allowing us to connect our international gateways in Atlanta and New York to one of the world's premier business airports," added Mr Hauenstein.
However, Delta has shelved plans to relaunch its service between Edinburgh Airport and Atlanta.
The route was cancelled last year, but Delta had announced it would recommence in May. However, the rising price of aviation fuel had forced a rethink by Delta and the plan has now been cancelled.
BA passengers advised to check flight details
Wed, 19 Mar, 2008
British Airways passengers scheduled to travel from London Heathrow Airport in late March and early April have been advised to check the details of their flights carefully.
On March 27th the airline will start to move its operations to the new Terminal 5, beginning with its domestic routes, the bulk of its European services and long-haul flights to Johannesburg, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Miami.
By the end of April British Airways anticipates that virtually all its flights from London Heathrow Airport will operate from Terminal 5.
However, while the transition takes place, it is keen to ensure its customers do not miss flights and has set up a website to allow them to check which terminal they are due to travel from.
The website will also provide full details of how to get to the new terminal and allow passengers to check-in up to 24 hours in advance of their flight.
Terminal 5 was officially opened by the Queen last week, but the first flights from it will not take off until March 27th.
AA to move London flights
Fri, 14 Mar, 2008
American Airlines (AA) is to move three of its flights from London Gatwick Airport to London Heathrow Airport, it has been announced.
AA will move its second daily round trip to Dallas/Fort Worth on April 13th. It has already confirmed that it will move its first daily flight to Texas.
The move is part of the Open Skies agreement between the US and the EU that comes into force at the end of the month.
"We want to strengthen our competitive position within the new Open Skies regime, so it makes sense to focus our efforts in London at Heathrow," said Henry Joyner, AA's senior vice president.
"These changes do not impact the total number of American flights to and from London. We'll operate up to 18 daily departures to Heathrow this summer from seven US airports."
AA recently announced that domestic traffic fell by 0.5 per cent in the 12 months ending 2007, while international traffic climbed by 8.4 per cent.
More than seven million passengers flew with the airline in February.
25-year anniversary for bmi service
Wed, 12 Mar, 2008
The airline bmi is celebrating 25 years of services between Edinburgh Airport and London Heathrow Airport.
Established in 1983, the service provided a useful link for business and leisure travellers between the two capitals.
Travellers celebrated the anniversary on board the service and also at the airports, the airline stated.
Managing director of the airline Peter Spancer said: "I am extremely proud that bmi has provided a consistent service between the Scottish capital and London over the past 25 years.
"This landmark really demonstrates how popular this exceptional service is."
In related news, Virgin Atlantic has announced its introduction of self-service check-in kiosks at London Heathrow Airport has been a success.
The machines have been developed to be user-friendly and simple to use, said Janine Donovan, press officer for the firm.
By reducing check-in desk queues and allowing travellers to view and change their seats, the airline has received a very positive response from its customers, she claimed.
"Unbelievable" prices for landing at London Heathrow Airport
Thu, 06 Mar, 2008
A record price has been paid for landing slots at London Heathrow Airport.
Continental Airlines has revealed it paid $209 million (£105 million) for four pairs of take off and landing slots at the airport, reports the Financial Times.
Disclosing the purchase in a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the airline said it plans to buy more landing slots.
The newspaper attributes the record price to a recent trend in US airlines taking advantage of the "open skies" treaty, where any carrier can fly from any point in the US to any point in the EU, regardless of previous restrictions.
An industry insider told the Times newspaper that the sum is "unbelievable".
Virgin is to use Rolls Royce engines in its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft fleet, reportedly paying the manufacturer £1.3 billion.
Richard Branson, head of Virgin, has claimed the engines will cut emissions by nearly 30 per cent every flight.
BALPA: Heathrow needs a sixth terminal
Tue, 04 Mar, 2008
A sixth terminal at London Heathrow Airport is vital for the airport to handle passenger volumes, it has been claimed.
The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) has submitted a report to the government, claiming that the expansion is necessary to "maintain a competitive airline industry".
BALPA advises the government that "ducking the issue" of the need for a sixth terminal will only lead to problems down the line.
In the report, the association highlights how the airport's two runways are already lagging behind its European counterparts as Paris has four runways and Amsterdam currently boasts five.
BALPA is calling for the proposed new London Heathrow Airport runway to be extended to 2,200 metres so that it can deal with various aircraft types and increase its flexibility.
"Once the third runway is complete and the associated infrastructure put in place it will be too late to consider extending the runway retrospectively so this must be addressed at the outset," the report states.
The Daily Mail reports that BAA has threatened to delay construction of the runway unless it is allowed to go ahead with charges for airlines.
Greenpeace breaches security at Heathrow
Tue, 26 Feb, 2008
Greenpeace activists staged a protest on top of a plane at London Heathrow Airport yesterday, campaigning against the planned third runway.
Described as "unlawful and irresponsible" by BAA, the protest involved two women and two men who climbed aboard a British Airways Airbus A320 plane at around 09:45 on Monday February 25th.
The plane had landed at Terminal 1 after flying in from Manchester Airport when the activists breached security and displayed their banner stating: "Climate Emergency - No Third Runway".
One of the protestors Anna Jones explained that by doubling the size of the world's biggest airport, bringing about climate change is severely obstructed.
BAA said that police are investigating the incident but that operations at the airport have not been affected.
In a letter to the Telegraph, Baroness Jo Valentine, chief executive of London First, has warned that although London Heathrow Airport does need to expand, more consideration should be taken to ensure the developments are green.
Third runway at Heathrow 'crucial for London'
Mon, 25 Feb, 2008
Go-ahead on the third runway at London Heathrow Airport is vital to protect the city's status as Europe's financial and business centre, it has been claimed.
Sir Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, warned that the airport needs to continue to expand in order to compete with other major European cities.
"Routine delays and circling overhead by all airlines, manoeuvres that simply increase pollution levels, will only be stopped with extra capacity," he said.
Should the protests against the airport expansion be successful, businesses are likely to move their global headquarters to other cities such as Frankfurt, taking thousands of jobs with them, Sir Richard added.
Research released by British Airways today has claimed that weather delays at London Heathrow Airport could be cut by two-thirds if the two existing runways were utilised in a more flexible way.
Arrivals are currently restricted to one runway at a time, unlike London Gatwick Airport where a "mixed mode" operation is used.
Virgin nets check-in honours
Fri, 11 Jan, 2008
Virgin Atlantic picked up the Fastest Airport Check-In award at a ceremony organised by the fashion, design and travel magazine Wallpaper on Wednesday.
The honour was for the airline's new Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow Airport, which is designed to allow business class passengers to get through security and be seated in the Clubhouse lounge with a drink within minutes of arriving to catch their flight.
Virgin Atlantic's chief executive Steve Ridgway said he was as thrilled about the award as business class passengers were with the service.
"Since the Upper Class Wing opened in November, our upper class passengers have been bowled over by how quickly they can get through to our Clubhouse from arriving at the airport," he explained.
One passenger managed to get through check-in and security in just three minutes, Mr Ridgway added.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to upgrade its in-flight Meditainment service to include a new Total Relaxation experience using both audio effects and on-screen visuals.
BA to expand Indian services
Wed, 09 Jan, 2008
British Airways (BA) has announced plans to expand its services between London Heathrow Airport and India in the autumn.
The airline already operates routes from the capital's busiest airport to the Indian cities of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
From October 27th 2008 that portfolio will be increased by the presence of a five flights a week service to Hyderabad.
Robert Boyle, BA's commercial director, explained that once the service starts the airline will fly 48 times a week to India, making the country its biggest market after North America.
The new service will provide the first non-stop flights between the UK and Hyderabad, and Mr Boyle added: "Hyderabad has a fast growing economy based on IT, business process outsourcing and biotech industries and we believe that there will be a strong business demand for our flights."
Meanwhile, Heathrow's operator BAA has revealed 5.3 million passengers used the airport in December, despite the flight cancellations caused by fog.
Flight treats becoming more popular
Thu, 27 Dec, 2007
Holidaymakers jetting off to favourite or fantasy locations like to treat themselves by shunning economy class seats, according to a leading airline.
While Christmas is a time for luxuries, people celebrating milestone life events like birthdays, weddings and anniversaries are more likely to splash out on business class or premium economy tickets, said Anna Knowles of Virgin Atlantic Airways.
"Christmas tends to be a time when many travel to see their friends and family around the world and on some occasions they will decide to treat themselves," she said.
She went on to suggest the airline's upper class cabin on the new Mauritius route is very popular with honeymooners.
Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew recently voted to stage two 48-hour strikes next month in a dispute about a pay offer.
The airline's services from London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport to the US, Caribbean, Asia and Australasia are likely to be badly disrupted.
Airport staff to take strike action
Fri, 21 Dec, 2007
Seven UK airports face the prospect of major disruption because of strike action next month, it emerged today.
An ongoing dispute between airport operator BAA and key workers - including security and maintenance staff and firefighters - about a proposal to change pension rights resulted in the trade union Unite holding a strike ballot.
The result showed a clear majority in favour of industrial action and strikes have been scheduled for January 7th, 14th, 17th and 18th.
BAA hopes to resume negotiations about the issue in a bid to prevent the strikes going ahead, as it is unlikely the affected airports could remain operational during the action.
The seven UK sites owned by BAA include both London Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
Unite announced on Thursday that Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew had voted in favour of organising two 48-hour strikes next month in protest at the airline's latest pay offer.
PRT work commences at Heathrow
Wed, 19 Dec, 2007
Work has started on a hi-tech new passenger transport system at London Heathrow Airport.
The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system is a low-energy, battery-powered method of transport designed to ferry passengers around the airport in a quick and comfortable manner.
It will eventually be rolled out across the whole site, but the work currently underway is to build a 3.8 kilometer guideway which will allow 18 driverless vehicles to ship passengers from the airport parking facilities to the new Terminal Five building.
Mark Bullock, managing director of London Heathrow Airport, claimed the £25million PRT system is a world first.
He added: "This innovative system forms part of BAA's plan to transform Heathrow, improve the passenger experience and reduce the environmental impact of our operation through the development of cutting edge, green transport solutions."
London Heathrow Airport's operator BAA recently announced that passenger numbers at the country's busiest airport were 2.4 per cent higher in November 2007 than in the corresponding period last year.
New nonstop LA flights from London Heathrow Airport
Wed, 12 Dec, 2007
Four daily flights are being launched by Delta Air Lines between London Heathrow Airport and Los Angeles from March 2008, it has emerged.
In what could benefit those needing to make use of airport parking facilities at London Heathrow, the increased number of flights will offer nonstop travel between the two cities.
The announcement comes after Delta agreed a deal with Air France in October.
Costs and revenues for the trans-Atlantic flights will be shared by the two airliners, but the flights from London Heathrow will be operated by Air France.
Tickets are now available for the first Boeing 777 aircraft flight, which will leave London Heathrow at 17:00 BST.
"Access to London's Heathrow Airport has long been in the top of Delta's list of priorities and we are pleased to offer our customers access to the world's largest trans-Atlantic market," said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president at Delta.
Delta's international air traffic annual growth rate was 19 per cent in November, the group recently revealed.
Heathrow to US flights to be launched by bmi
Tue, 04 Dec, 2007
The third-largest airline in the UK, bmi, has announced that it will start flying between London Heathrow Airport and US destinations.
One year after the open skies agreement was reached to permit more carriers to operate transatlantic routes, bmi has said that it will begin its US services in two years, Bloomberg reports.
Speaking at an industry conference, bmi chief executive officer Nigel Turner said that the British airline would wait and not "jump in" in April, when the agreement takes effect.
"We're going to postpone our entry into the market until 2009," he remarked. It has been suggested that bmi is one of the carriers that will benefit most from the pact.
The new US flights are part of bmi's plans to transofrm itself into a medium and long-haul airline, the news provider claimed.
In November, bmi announced that it would be flying from London Heathrow Airport to Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
Heathrow expansion 'would help regions'
Fri, 30 Nov, 2007
Regional airports have nothing to fear from London Heathrow Airport's expansion plans, according to an industry body.
A consultation is currently underway about plans to build a third runway and sixth terminal at London Heathrow Airport.
That would enable Britain's busiest airport to handle even more traffic, but Neil Pakey of the Airport Operators Association said the move would not take business away from its regional counterparts.
In fact, Mr Pakey believes the expansion would actually help the country's smaller airports because there are not currently enough slots available for domestic services at London Heathrow Airport.
As a result many passengers are unable to fly from their local airport to link up with long-haul services and London Heathrow Airport is not effective in its role as the UK's hub, he continued.
"Really we need to have slots into the regions through Heathrow … So Heathrow getting more slots, more capacity, that's actually going to benefit the regions far more," said Mr Pakey.
BA unveils new holiday services
Tue, 27 Nov, 2007
British Airways (BA) has announced it is to launch 12 new short-haul services to holiday destinations from London next March.
Daily flights to the Spanish resort of Malaga from London Heathrow Airport are scheduled to commence on March 30th, the same date as seven new routes from London Gatwick Airport are due to open.
They will fly to Gibraltar, the Portuguese city of Faro, the Tunisian capital Tunis and the Spanish holiday hotspots of Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga and Palma.
All those services will operate at least once a day, apart from the five times a week flights to Tunis.
BA is also extending its operations from London City Airport through its Cityflyer subsidiary, which is to launch daily services to the Polish capital Warsaw, the Catalan city of Barcelona, the Dutch city of Amsterdam and the French resort of Nice.
The airline recently announced that it is increasing its fuel surcharge on short-haul flights to £10 per flight for all tickets booked after November 15th 2007.
New transatlantic services announced
Thu, 15 Nov, 2007
Continental Airlines today unveiled plans to launch two new direct services from London Heathrow Airport to the US on March 29th next year.
The new services fly to Newark Liberty International Airport and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport and will both operate twice a day.
Continental has long run services from London Gatwick Airport to New York, Houston and Cleveland, but had been prevented from operating out of Heathrow by a bilateral agreement between US and UK flight authorities.
However, the new Open Skies agreement between the US and EU has made it possible for Continental to fly to the UK's busiest airport and chairman Larry Kellner said the development would benefit passengers.
"We look forward to the chance to compete at Europe's most important business airport," added Mr Kellner.
BAA recently announced passenger numbers on transatlantic routes from its seven UK airports were 8.9 per cent higher in October 2007 than in the corresponding period last year.
Heathrow queues coming down
Wed, 07 Nov, 2007
Efforts to drive down queuing times at London Heathrow Airport are proving successful, it was claimed today.
Security measures introduced in the wake of terror alerts included a restriction on the number of bags that can be taken on to planes, leading to longer waiting times at check-in, security checks and luggage collection.
However, a spokeswoman for BAA, the owner and operator of London Heathrow Airport, said that heavy investment in both new technology and additional security staff had helped to cut the queues.
"In August this year, one of the busiest on record, for 95 per cent of the time passengers queued for less than ten minutes," she said.
Meanwhile, British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh has predicted the restrictions on hand baggage will soon be lifted.
He added that the move, which has not yet been confirmed by the security authorities, would go a long way towards "relieving the hassle factor" associated with the one-bag limit.
Sneak preview of Terminal 5 hotel
Wed, 03 Oct, 2007
The first preview of the only hotel to adjoin London Heathrow's hotly-anticipated Terminal 5 was unveiled today.
Costing £180 million to build the hotel will boast 605 bedrooms and an array of conference and meeting rooms.
It will also be directly connected to Terminal 5 via a link bridge to one of the hotel's impressive glass atriums.
Chairman of Arora International Hotels Surinder Arora commented that the new hotel will be "the gateway to the world".
"As the world focuses its attention more on our capital city and Heathrow Airport in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympic Games, the new Sofitel will represent world-class hospitality," he said.
It is thought the hotel will drive more business conferences to the location.
Terminal 5 is due to open in March next year and is currently undergoing six months of final preparation work.
Gordon Ramsey will be offering passengers quality cuisine as they pass through the airport's gates as one of his eateries is confirmed to line up against other restaurateurs in the terminal.
London Heathrow prepares for T5 opening
Mon, 24 Sep, 2007
London Heathrow Airport will not be unveiling its long-awaited Terminal 5 until March 27th 2008, yet it is already preparing to be ready for service on the day of launch, it has been reported.
The next six months are crucial to the terminal's success, Willie Walsh of British Airways said.
Mr Walsh, the chief executive of the airline, commented that the company is excited about the anticipated opening of T5, Breaking Travel News notes.
"Terminal 5 is a fantastic opportunity for British Airways and will transform our operations with less queuing, faster baggage systems and better punctuality," he remarked.
The terminal will offer "unparalleled standards of comfort" as well as convenience, Mr Walsh added.
Passengers using London Heathrow Airport may find it convenient to book their airport parking in advance, particularly at busy time of the year.
Mr Walsh spoke conducted a speech earlier in the week addressing the future challenges that face British Airways.