Oneworld airlines to consolidate at Heathrow

Members of the Oneworld alliance will operate from two rather than four terminals at Heathrow once the airport’s fifth terminal opens.

A memorandum of understanding signed between the alliance and BAA Heathrow, Oneworld carriers will be consolidated at the £4.2 billion Terminal 5 and in an up-graded Terminal 3. Alliance airlines will share adjacent check-in desks, piers and other facilities in Terminal 3.

While British Airways will take over Terminal 5, the remaining Oneworld carriers – American Airlines, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Finnair and Aer Lingus – will operate from Terminal 3.

The changes will see Aer Lingus and Finnair moving from Terminal 1, Iberia and Malév from Terminal 2, and Qantas from Terminal 4. Prospective alliance members Japan Airlines, Malév and Royal Jordanian are also pencilled in to operate from Terminal 3.

BA will be the first to move, transferring its services into Terminal 5 when it opens in two years time. The oneworld relocation into Terminal 3 is expected to be completed by 2009.

BA departures to Australia and Spain will be from Terminal 3, alongside partners Qantas and Iberia.

Terminal 3 will undergo a £200 million modernisation programme focussed on passenger and baggage-related projects over the next seven years. The check-in area will be reshaped and expanded to minimise congestion, make it easier for passengers to find their way around and provide more natural light. Latest technology and infrastructure will be incorporated into new baggage systems and other passenger services.

Connections between oneworld carriers’ flights in Terminals 3 and 5 will be “smooth and as seamless as possible”, assisted by a state-of-the-art underground baggage system that will link all Heathrow’s terminals, built in tunnels under the airport’s taxiways, a statement said.

Oneworld carriers account for more than half of Heathrow’s traffic with 35 million passengers a year travelling on around 700 departures and arrivals a day split across all four of Heathrow’s terminals.

Oneworld managing partner John McCulloch said: “Oneworld’s aims to bring the operations of our member airlines together at all key airports around the world wherever it make sense and is possible.

“Terminal 5’s opening at London Heathrow provides us with a golden opportunity to do just this at the alliance’s major European hub. This landmark agreement with BAA Heathrow ensures all of our airlines will be able to offer their customers a state-of-the-art passenger experience whether they are flying to or from London, or transferring there between oneworld airline flights.”

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “This agreement is a great step forward for the oneworld alliance, allowing much greater cohesion between all partner airlines at Heathrow. Customers will see real benefits as connections become more convenient, smoother and faster.”

BAA Heathrow Divisional Director Mick Temple said: “With the opening of Terminal 5 in 2008, Heathrow has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to co-locate our airline alliances and transform the whole airport into a world-class facility.”

Report by Phil Davies