Virgin Atlantic has signed an agreement with the airport operator BAA to renew and expand the carrier’s facilities at Heathrow’s Terminal 3.
It will allow the airline to carry nearly twice as many passengers through the terminal.
The new works will be designed by Foster and Partners and will be completed in phases from 2007 to 2021 The first phase will be ready for the arrival of Virgin’s first Airbus A.380s in 2008.
The carrier says that Upper Class passengers will be welcomed at a new dedicated “Drive Thru” area, while the new facilities will be so compact that passengers will only have to walk as little as 200 metres from check-in to the gate.
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this innovative deal with the BAA which will allow us to double in size at Heathrow yet create a more intimate experience for our passengers.
“Our passengers tell us that in their ‘cash rich, time poor’ lives they are increasingly frustrated at the time spent queuing at the airport, so we’ve made sure this work will cut down the time it takes passengers from arrival to the gate.
“In fact, whether you arrive at Heathrow from London by road or public transport you will get to the airport quicker and get through the airport quicker at Terminal 3 than Terminal 5.”
Mick Temple, BAA Heathrow managing director, said: “We are delighted to be signing this memorandum of understanding. It has been reached through constructive dialogue that has been driven by the desire to jointly develop creative solutions. It has been a real team effort and the outcome is a commitment to re-develop part of Terminal 3 for Virgin and provide a great alternative to Terminal 5.”
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
