Heathrow Airport History

Heathrow used to be a hamlet, where a row of cottages were situated called Heath Row. Fields just South-East of the hamlet were turned into a military airfield known as the Great Western Aerodrome. In 1943, Heathrow was taken over by the Air Ministry who developed the site as a Royal Air Force transfer station. The next year, the construction of runways began, and the new Heathrow airport was built by Wimpey Construction, demolishing the Heathrow hamlet to make room.

The Opening of Heathrow Airport

Heathrow airport was fully opened for civilian use in May 1946, and by the next year had three runways, with three more under construction. Queen Elizabeth II opened the first terminal building – now known as Terminal 2.

Ownership

Heathrow airport is now owned and operated by BAA, who also owns 5 other airports in the UK: London Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton. BAA are owned by ADI Limited, led by the Spanish Ferrovial Group.

Terminal Development

• Terminal 1: Opened in 1968, but underwent a redevelopment in 2005. The terminal is now set to be demolished around 2014 to make room for the Terminal 2 complex.



• Terminal 2: Previously known as the Oceanic Terminal – opened in 1962. Construction work on a new complex began in 2009, but the first phase is not due to be completed until 2014.



• Terminal 3: Opened in 1970, major refurbishment work started in 2007 and was completed by 2009.



• Terminal 4: Opened in 1986 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, major refurbishment work started in 2007 and was completed by 2009.



• Terminal 5: Opened in 2008 by Queen Elizabeth II



• Terminal 6: Consultation began in November 2007, and was controversially approved in 2009, but was withdrawn in May 2010 by the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat government.

Airlines currently operating from Heathrow Airport

Over 90 different airlines operate from Heathrow Airport, including Aer Lingus, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and US Airways. However, it is the main hub for BMI, and British Airways, and is home to Virgin Atlantic Airways. These airlines fly to over 170 destinations around the world. If you are looking for Heathrow airport parking check out our manifold pages on the topic of Heathrow.