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I'm so proud says Queen as Heathrow opens new wing
Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Affairs Editor14 Mar 2008
The Queen hailed an achievement to "be proud of" as she officially opened Heathrow's Terminal 5.
Two decades on from the first architect designs and 15 years after the original planning application, she unveiled the £4.3 billion facility, which adds 50 new aircraft stands.
The Richard Rogers-designed terminal will handle up to 30 million passengers a year, finally easing the pressure from an airport that has threatened to seize up under the sheer weight of travellers milling through its ageing departure and arrival halls.
The terminal will open to paying British Airways passengers on 27 March.
During her 68-minute visit the Queen met Lord Rogers and the BA crew of the Boeing 777 who averted a tragedy when they crash-landed short of the runway at Heathrow in January.
The Queen paid tribute to the design in her speech. She said: "Looking around this bright and airy space with its clean, efficient layout, I am sure that many millions of travellers will have reason to be appreciative of the thought and care that has gone into the design, construction and ongoing main-
tenance of this significant new terminal." She and the 800 guests, including hundreds of airport and construction workers, listened to a special piece of music from composer Steve Sidwell performed by a 30-strong choir.
BAA chairman Sir Nigel said today: "Terminal 5 marks the start of a new beginning for Heathrow, for BAA and for our millions of passengers. It is by any standard a triumph of ambition, commitment and collaboration.
" It will breathe new life into Heathrow, allowing us to continue our transformation of the rest of the airport and will put Heathrow and BAA back where they belong - at the leading edge of global travel."
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: "Our customers will really enjoy the space, comfort and convenience it offers. With the opening of T5, BA and BAA have an opportunity to make air travel, both into and out of the UK, once again a calmer and much more enjoyable experience."
Today's ceremony comes 53 years after the Queen opened the first passenger-terminal at Heathrow, the buildingnow used as Terminal 2. This is due to be demolished next year to make way for a new building, Heathrow East.
Beyond that there are bitterly opposed plans for a third runway and a sixth terminal by 2020. The opening comes at the end of a torrid year for Heathrow and its owners, BAA. Last summer the airport suffered a barrage of criticism over long queues and lost baggage.
