Archive for the ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ Category
Queen Elizabeth helped launch Heathrow’s $8.6 billion new Terminal 5 on Friday as part of the British airport’s rejuvenation plan to maintain its status as one of the world’s most important transport hubs.
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A general view of the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport prior to its official opening on Friday.
The British monarch, who also opened Heathrow’s first passenger terminal in 1955, was present under strict security a day after a man carrying a backpack was arrested for running onto a runway at the airport.
The launch of Terminal 5 has come after 15 years of planning and construction by its owners BAA — and protests by local residents and environmental groups.
It is part of a strategy which could lead to passenger numbers almost doubling to 122 million a year, with a sixth terminal and a third runway in the pipeline despite some vociferous opposition.
Spanish-owned BAA, which also runs Gatwick and Stansted in Britain, also plans to eventually demolish Terminals 1 and 2 and replace them in a project called Heathrow East. Video Watch Queen Elizabeth meet airport staff. »
Residents were once told by BAA that there would be no fifth terminal, but the company is planning to forge further ahead despite the concerns of environmental groups.
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