Middle East passengers just one year away from Birtish Airways' dedicated Terminal 5

UK airport operator BAA and British Airways are today (Tuesday) announcing the opening date for Terminal 5 (T5), which will become an exclusive new home for British Airways, serve around 30 million passengers a year and be a stunning new gateway to the UK.

With 366 days to go (leap year in 2008), over 90% of construction-related work is complete and the project remains on time and on budget.

An intensive six-month period of proving trials will begin in September this year, when over 16,000 people will be recruited to act as volunteer passengers and thoroughly test every aspect of the building including car parking, check-in, baggage systems, IT systems and security.

Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways, who will be the sole airline occupant of T5, said: "This is a historic breakthrough which will transform the airport experience for our customers. T5 will mean less queuing, faster baggage systems and better punctuality. For comfort and convenience, it will exceed the best you can find at any other airport.

"The next twelve months will be extremely busy as we continue with our preparations for the move. Our plans are on track and we will be ready for 27 March, 2008 when the first flights begin."

T5's first passengers will step off a British Airways morning arrival from Hong Kong and around 40,000 customers will go through the new terminal on its first day of operation.

"We're really looking forward to Middle East passengers stepping onto the tarmac at T5. It is going to be a world-leading facility and will provide us with a considerable advantage in upping sales in the increasingly competitive Middle East aviation industry,"

added Paul Starrs, British Airways' Commercial manager Middle East.

Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of BAA Heathrow, said: "London is a world city, a global financial centre and needs a world class airport.

"T5 is already a testament to the skill and hard work of the thousands of people, including architects, planners, construction workers, airport and airline staff, who have together made the building happen. With just 366 days to go there is still much to do, but we're confident we are on track to deliver a world-class experience that Heathrow's passengers deserve.

"68 million passengers will fly through Heathrow this year in aging terminal facilities designed to accommodate around 45 million. When T5 opens and 30 million passengers move out of existing terminals, for the first time we will have space to breath in the central terminal area and have a once in a lifetime opportunity to redevelop the rest of the airport and bring it up to a comparable standard to T5.

"By 2012, we aim to have either re-built or redeveloped our existing facilities and returned Heathrow to its rightful status as the world's leading international airport. We will be proud to welcome the world's Olympians through our gates."

The T5 complex features 60 new aircraft stands, two satellite buildings (the second to be completed by 2010), rail links to London Underground and Heathrow Express, a new multi-storey car park and extensive landscaping.

Designed by 2006 Stirling Prize winner the Richard Rogers Partnership, T5 combines functionality with finesse. The building's design meets the needs of the passenger from the moment they arrive at the airport to boarding their aircraft. It offers space, convenience, comfort and spectacular views across the airfield for virtually every step of the passenger's journey.

Construction on the £4.3 billion terminal complex began in 2002. Since when, the project has successfully moved 9 million cubic metres of earth; erected the roof of UK's biggest free-standing building; transported the 900-tonne top cab of a new 87m high control tower 2km across the airfield; bored over 13km of tunnels for rail and baggage; diverted two rivers; and installed over 30,000 sq metres of glass facades. All T5's footprint is contained within a former sewage works at the western end of the existing airport, situated between the two runways, adjacent to the M25.

British Airways operates 21 weekly flights from the UAE - a twice daily service from Dubai International and a daily service from Abu Dhabi International - to London Heathrow, where passengers can transit to any of the 160-plus destinations in the carrier's global network.