Heathrow Airport's Terminal 4 is reopening for the first time in two years after it It was forced to close during the pandemic. With a rise in passenger numbers and travel rules relaxing, the reopening of T4 will help deal with the 'summer peak' across all four terminals.
Qatar Airways is the first carrier to move operations and up to 30 more mainly long-haul airlines are set to follow. The move will allow Terminal 4 airlines more check in space and stand capacity and free up capacity in Terminals 2, 3 and 5.
Since its temporary closure, Heathrow has refurbished many parts of Terminal 4, including upgrading toilets, air conditioning and hold baggage screening machines. A wide range of retail, food and beverage outlets will also be available, and more will open during the summer as airline occupancy increases.
Up to 1,000 new security officers and other staff have been recruited to support airlines and handlers in their recruitment programmes for the opening today (June 14).
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow Airport chief executive, said: “I want to thank our colleagues and Team Heathrow partners who are working tirelessly to make sure that millions of people can enjoy the benefits of travel once again. While we are still years away from passenger numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels, reopening Terminal 4 will give airlines at Heathrow extra space across the airport, helping them manage the impact additional travel documents continue to have on check in times.
“To help ensure a smooth journey we will ensure head office colleagues are in the terminals helping passengers. Passengers can also help us to help them by getting set for travel before they arrive at the airport, by checking their terminal in advance, completing all travel paperwork at home and getting hand luggage ready for security checks.”
Airlines returning to Terminal 4: Air Algerie, Air Astana, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Azerbaijan Airlines, Bulgarian Air, El Al – Israeli Airlines, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, ITA Airlines, Kenya Airways, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Omanair, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Brunei, Saudi Arabia Airlines, TAROM, Tunis Air, Uzbekistan Airways, Vietnam Airlines. Others will follow.
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