Renovation and expansion of phase one at London Heathrow Airport, U.K., is nearing completion. The $4 billion renovation project began in 2008 and is set to open access to its new premises in 2014.
Renovation plans were announced by the government in 2008. The project is divided into two phases. The first phase, which is now ending, included erecting a new satellite building, demolishing the old Terminal 2 and completing construction on half of new Terminal 2. The second phase is slated to run from 2014-19 and includes demolition of Terminal 1 to make way for expansion and completion of Terminal 2.
The new structure will take up the site of the old Terminal 2 and the Queens Building. Terminal 2 will now be able to handle around 20 million passengers a year. After Terminal 1 is demolished, the expansion will enable it to accommodate almost 30 million passengers a year, reports Businessweek.
The new Terminal 2 will be adding extra flight space to allow more flights from Asia and the Middle East, higher ceilings, more retail stores along with shorter walks and 56 self-serviced luggage counters. The terminal will also feature an atrium style departure lounge with a 656 feet walk way.
"There's a very direct connection between how well we operate today and our credibility when we argue the long-term plan. The better we make the passenger experience, the better our arguments on capacity needs and other key issues. It's a phenomenally important market. If you take the 10 biggest routes anywhere on earth, seven have Heathrow at their end," Collin Matthews, CEO of Heathrow, said in an interview with Bloomberg.
Check out the complete plan and rendered pictures of the new Terminal 2 on the official website.
Recently, Heathrow Airport declared that it would be raising its air fares to fund a new round of investment in the airport. The airport will be charging an additional $10.6 per passenger for all the airlines. The new move has not gone down well with the airlines as they claim that the high prices would drive passengers away to more modest airports, reports London Net.
