Posts Tagged ‘heathrow airport’

Unite, the union that represents BA cabin crew have just announced that their members will strike for three days from 20 March and for four days from 27 March.

BBC News is reporting that British Airways has implemented extensive contingency plans, including training 1,000 staff to work as cabin crew to cover striking workers.  They are also looking to hire charter aircraft to keep as many flights as possible in operation.

A British Airways spokesperson has said that flights from London City Airport and 70% of flights from Gatwick, including all long-haul flights, should be operational.  He went on to say that Heathrow would be able to offer some long and short-haul services.

If you’re planning on travelling on the strike dates, be sure to check with BA for the latest information before you leave to find out if your plans will be affected.

After 54 years of service, Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport closed its doors on Monday the 23rd of November.  Fans of the terminal need not shed a tear though, as a £1 billion replacement is on its way.

“The closure of Terminal 2 marks an important moment in the modernisation of Heathrow. We look forward to the new Terminal 2 providing a new home for the Star Alliance and a better experience for our passengers, with less impact on the environment,” said BAA Chief Executive Colin Matthews.

Lee Hock Lye, Vice President Product and Services, Star Alliance added:  “The closure and subsequent demolition of Terminal 2 will make way for our new home at Heathrow. This will finally allow our member carriers to operate under one roof at one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, placing us on at least an equal footing with others.”

Work on the new terminal begins in 2010 and it will open to the public in 2014.  This complete revamp of Terminal 2, in conjunction with a major rebuilding programme across Heathrow, is hoped to help the airport remain one of the world’s most exciting aviation hubs.

Because of the closure, all passengers are advised to check with their airlines or the Official Heathrow Airport website before departing on their trips.

Any customers who have booked their airport parking for Terminal 2 through gosimply.com will be notified of any changes to their arrival procedures as a result of the closure, and customers with questions should write to us via our contact form.

Transport Minister, lord Adonis, is backing a proposed 4.5bn international rail exchange for Heathrow as part of a £16bn Crossrail scheme for the City of London.

Out of a number of projects that include a new high-speed rail link between London, Leeds and Manchester and the electrification of the Great Western railway to Plymouth and Swansea, the Heathrow international rail exchange has already been categorised as a high priority  by the Department of Transport.

Despite claims to the contrary, the transport ministry have stated that the planned international rail exchange is not being offered as an “environmental sweetener” to persuade opponents to accept the building of the controversial 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport.

With a final decision due later this month, Lord Adonis has re-affirmed that the rail hub which will link the north and south with a high-speed railway is “vital”, slashing journey times between Manchester, Leeds and London. The government however still faces strong opposition from the Conservatives and the general public. The shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said: “A new rail hub at Heathrow should be an alternative to a third runway, not a sweetener for it.”

It is estimated that over 100 homeless people are living at Heathrow airport much like the Tom Hanks character in the Spielberg film ‘The Terminal’.

In recent months it has been discovered that over 100 homeless people are permanently residing at the airport and this number is on the increase. As one homeless person has said, Heathrow is like a hotel. It is warm, clean, reasonably safe and has excellent facilities.

Many of these seasoned airport dwellers have developed techniques to avoid detection by airport security staff. They dress like holidaymakers and carry their belongings in suitcases that make them look like travellers using the airport.

Some of the homeless people receive a Giro cheque payment of £60 each week which they must collect from the Samaritans headquarters in central London. This doesn’t go very far being used to buy food and essentials from various airport outlets.

Occasional security sweeps result in many homeless people being ejected, only to return to the warmth and safety of the airport terminals once security is out of the way.

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