LHR Olympic Terminal

Why will Heathrow be busier during the Olympics?

Are there more landing slots being squeezed in as I thought Heathrow was already at capacity.

Why is there a need to erect a “tent” or is it just creating more retail space .

I know London is going to busy, but how much busier can Heathrow actually get?

Allied to this, much was made of the Stratford HS1 station being anreason for the Olympics being in this area. I wonder what percentage of Europian athletes will come by train and whether any special services from destinations other than Brussels and Paris will be run? Anyone know? Like Martyn I cannot see where the extra capacity at LHR will
Come from. I suppose it is unfortunate they demolished 1 of the 3 central terminals When they did… Earlier or later would have worked better. But then with existing runways…/

It will be interesting to see staffing level/servicing levels at Heathrow.

Higher passenger numbers is no excuse for the airport to come to a standstill or for delays. Delays will only occur if the passenger flows from aircraft to exit are slowed.

The number of aircraft movements shouldnt increase (unless Paul Daniels and co have created more slots). Getting pax from aircraft seat to out of the airport needs to be slick.

Immigration desks need to be manned, bagage handlers need to be fast, equipment needs to be working, security personel need to concentrate on pax and not the flavour of their chewing gum or checking text messages and taxi’s / transport needs to flow in and out of the airport.

At least there is no chance of snow closing the airport………………………..????

A few high level facts:
– BAA are paying for the building, which is on an old BA staff car park on the southern side of the airport.
– It will be used to check passengers (accredited individuals who may be athletes, support staff, officials, members of various International Federations, etc.)
– Passengers will be bussed to their gates
– Baggage will be checked in from within the secure zone inside the Athlete’s Village or at the temporary terminal

Basically, what the building is doing is funnelling the people coming from the various Athlete’s Villages and other accredited places into one spot, allowing the rest of the public to go about their business as normal

I’d imagine some luggage will take longer to load, but that’s something for the various airlines and their ground handlers to be mindful of.

In terms of extra capacity – I’d imagine a lot of ‘specials’ going to STN (espeically diplomatic/Heads of Government/State flights), LTN & LGW, with fewer at LHR.

BT – These threads should be merged

http://www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/LHR-New-Terminal-Temporary-for-Olympics

Whilst the cost is being administered by BAA, they are not paying for it at all. The cost has been equitably distributed between all the carriers operating at LHR, which isn’t equitable at all given that only about 10% of the airlines will actually see any benefit at all from the facilities.

Surely that depends on the traffic? I am unclear crom the posts whether airlines were charged by number of flights, number of PAX, whether they are the official Airline for their country olympic team or just by being at LHR. It would be undair for BA to pay around 50% as most UK athletes are in UK. Equally Russia or US normally have big teams so their official
Airline should pay more than say Air Malta.