Heathrow Airport: Expanding into the future

Heathrow Airport is changing; every month around £70 million is being invested on a major programme of modernisation. All of the airport’s terminals will benefit and passengers are already experiencing the results.

This represents one of the largest and most exciting construction programmes currently underway in the UK; it is an ambitious undertaking that will strengthen efforts to position Heathrow as Europe’s hub airport of choice. Significantly, all of this work is taking place without any impact on the airport’s busy operation.

Central to these plans is the new £2.2bn Terminal 2; a stunning facility for passengers that is set to open to passengers in 2014.

Large enough to accommodate 20 million passengers every year, this new terminal will be the home of Star Alliance airlines. It represents the first time that so many of the alliance’s airlines have operated from a single terminal at Heathrow, and for passengers it means a simpler, more straight-forward airport journey. Eventually, when the second phase is complete, it will be large enough to accommodate 30 million passengers annually.

Designs for the new terminal show a spacious facility, extensively lit by natural light and characterised by airport views and intuitive wayfinding. It should provide passengers with an experience that is memorable as much for its clarity as for the architecture that contains it.

The development includes a main terminal building called T2A, and a satellite called T2B. The main terminal is characterised by a vast, undulating roof which extends to form a canopy that is linked to the multi storey car park. The result is a naturally-lit, covered court which will serve as a dramatic front door to the building.

Over 11,000m2 of check-in will feature the very latest technology, laid out clearly with self-service kiosks; followed by fast bag drops, and traditional check-in behind. It will be calm, spacious and uncluttered.

Large north-facing windows in the roof allow natural light into the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting without generating uncomfortable levels of heat. Solar-gathering panels on the roof will further reduce the dependency on energy supplies. Additionally a new energy centre, partially fuelled by renewable resources, will provide heating and cooling for the building.

The waves of the roof serve as a journey guide; with each wave corresponding to a major part in the passengers’ departing journey: check-in, through to security and then the departures lounge.

Once through ticket presentation and security, passengers arrive at the departures lounge. Here they are greeted by a bright and generous space, with a backdrop of views over one of the world’s busiest international airfields.

For passengers departing from the satellite building T2B, a short walk brings them into a double-height atrium. There will be 16 gates at the satellite, as well as a choice of shops and restaurants. Part of this building is already in use today and sets the tone for the future with a cutting-edge interior design.

Arriving passengers receive a bright welcome with clear wayfinding and generous natural lighting.

Careful attention has been paid to ensuring that transfer passengers enjoy a smooth transition between flights; with focus placed on creating a logical, quick and easy experience that will lead them seamlessly through transfers, security, ticket presentation and into the departures lounge.

For passengers landing at the new Terminal 2, their journey through the building is simple and efficient with Immigration and Baggage Reclaim all on one level.

After Customs, passengers walk out into the Arrivals hall; a spacious area providing plenty of room to meet and greet.

Extensive glazing means clear views out to the covered court. Passengers leave the terminal and cross bridges which span a landscaped area below.

Eventually the new terminal will be extended to replace Terminal 1. In the interim however, Terminal 1 has benefitted from significant modernisation, and so successful was the work that the team responsible were finalists in a prestigious international project management award.

A £60 million investment has seen Terminal 1’s check-in area completely remodelled, so that ‘islands’ which had made the space difficult to navigate were removed to create a spacious, brighter environment with more self-service check-in machines.

The terminal’s baggage reclaim hall has been renovated and Immigration, security and arrivals have all been refurbished, giving the terminal a much more contemporary feel.

Over at Terminal 3, £16 million has been spent on the check-in area in a refurbishment programme that was completed in summer 2009. As well as modernising the space, 30 selfservice kiosks have been installed.

Work is continuing across the rest of the terminal, with the security search area being refurbished and extended to create the largest search area at Heathrow Airport. In addition, more than £22 million is being spent on renovating T3’s Immigration, baggage reclaim hall and flight connections centre in order to create clean, crisp and modern spaces. The work is scheduled to be fully complete by 2011.

Heathrow’s Terminal 4 is a major success story. Its check-in has been extended and completely modernised, in a challenging programme of work that has transformed a dated interior into a 21st century airport experience.

£100 million has been spent on creating an additional 6,000m2 of space, with floor-to ceiling-glazing that provides an elegant, light and modern finish. Outside, a translucent canopy is specially lit so that passengers can enjoy a landscaped plaza before checking in.

The check-in area was completely remodelled to change it from a facility used by 12 airlines, to one that can accommodate more than 45 airlines, all of which are set to move in as part of the ongoing airline relocation programme. There are now 127 check-in desks – 33 of which are completely new, and 40 selfservice check-in machines have also been installed.

Even at Terminal 5 – Heathrow’s newest terminal, work continues on a second satellite building which is on schedule to open as planned in spring 2011. This will complete the development, which continues to gain plaudits from passengers and international recognition as a world-class facility.

Terminal 5’s three buildings run in parallel in what is known as a ‘toast rack’ formation. This provides the most number of pier-served aircraft stands, so that passengers get a better airport experience walking directly from the terminal to the aircraft. T5C is set to provide Terminal 5 with an additional 12 pier-served aircraft stands – eight of which will be able to accommodate new generation aircraft such as the A380.

The satellite building echoes the themes of light and views which characterise Terminal 5; it is predominantly glazed, which means passengers will enjoy a stunning outlook onto the airfield.

The latest addition to Terminal 5 was always due to open after the main building and first satellite; however, parts of the building, such as its basements, were constructed while the main development was underway. The Track Transit System (TTS), which is a light rail system that transports passengers underground between existing buildings, is already in place so that the service can be easily extended when Terminal 5C opens. The TTS journey to the second satellite will only take a few minutes.

Complementing the above-ground activities at Heathrow is a £230 million programme of work under the airfield. The world’s largest integrated baggage system is being constructed to enable greater efficiency with baggage handling, bringing particular benefit to transfer passengers.

BAA secured a reputation for delivering large-scale infrastructure successfully with Terminal 5, however changes to the economic climate, and indeed the profile of projects underway across Heathrow, has warranted a new approach to the way in which work is being delivered.

A move away from negotiation with only a limited number of framework suppliers and the re-introduction of competition has delivered significant cost savings. Suppliers are also incentivised to ensure programmes remain on time and budget, with additional fees paid for exceptional performance and construction behaviours.

BAA has also changed the way in which it manages its Capital investment; stepping away from hands-on project delivery and becoming programme leaders with an ‘Intelligent Client’ approach. This means that work is clarified in contracts at the outset and places the onus on BAA to stick to the agreed brief, and to ensure suppliers are fully enabled to carry out their work.

Heathrow is changing for the better, and while there is still a great deal to be done, the work already achieved means a better journey for passengers. World-class facilities will further enable the airport to continue the unique economic contribution it makes to the UK’s economy; while ongoing investment promises a rich and diverse source of employment for the areas that surround Heathrow.

About the Author

Steven Morgan

Steve joined BAA on 2 February 2009 and has responsibility for BAA’s capital programme and procurement. Previously he was at British Nuclear Fuels as Commercial Director of Sellafield Ltd. Steve brings extensive experience of the management of large engineering and procurement contracts, having previously worked with Westinghouse, the US Department of Energy. He was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, specialising in logistics and acquisitions.