LONDON – For the first time in over 2 years, London Heathrow Airport is set to re-open its Terminal 4 facility to summer travellers on June 14.
As part of the airport’s longstanding plan to ramp up capacity ahead of the summer season, Heathrow Airport (LHR) is on track to re-open their Terminal 4 (T4) facility next week.
The Airport announced that Qatar Airlines will be the first airline to move across to the T4 facility, to be followed by 30 more airlines over the next month.
The re-assignment will allow airlines more space and stand capacity, as well as access to premium facilities.
The move will also free up space in Terminals 2, 3 and 5 in time for the summer peak period.
New infrastructure & services
The Airport has taken the advantage of the two-year lull to upgrade and refurbish the T4 facility, and travellers should see improvements to baggage screening machines and terminal comfort appointments including restrooms and air conditioning.
From 14 June, local buses, Piccadilly Line underground services and the Elizabeth line will operate into T4 to allow ease of access for passengers and patrons.
Customer facilities including food, beverage and retail outlets will be available, with the range of services to increase through the summer season with the anticipated increase of passenger numbers.
The planned recovery phase will also see the introduction of 1,000 new security and related personnel. Similarly, customer services have been increased in order to better manage passenger check-in and streamline flows though security and the gate.
A progressive return to normal
The re-opening of T4 marks another waypoint in the Airport’s steady return to per-pandemic levels.
Heathrow CEO Mr John Holland-Kaye said: “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.”
Heathrow mobilises the ‘Here to Help’ program
Across the summer peak period, the Airport will also augment is ‘Here to Help’ program, which will see head office staff and senior managers mobilised across all four terminals to provide more personal assistance to passengers.
In distinctive purple, the ‘Here to Help’ staffers will fulfil a range of customer service functions, including assistance with enquiries, guidance to check-in desks, and preparation of hand luggage at security.
CEO Holland-Kaye said:
“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
Airlines returning to T4 will include:
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, and Vietnam Airlines.
