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London heathrow airport |
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London Heathrow Airport- An introduction: Located 15 miles west of London, London Heathrow airport, is the principal and one of the busiest airport of U.K as well as world’ second busiest cargo port. Well connected to the main London city via road and rail, the airport handles more than 64 million passengers every year. The airport that started of with a modest beginning as a small grassfield has gradually developed into a self-contained city with a population of over more than 60,000 workers. More than 90 airlines are operated via this airport, connecting it to more than 170 destinations, across the globe. With a state of the art infrastructure, the airport provides incomparable choice of shops, restaurants, bars, round the clock information services, body changing facilities and playa areas, along with medical assistance, car hire, business, and family need facilities. The pre-booking of a lounge in the departure area, gives you the facility of Internet access at several points, once you have checked in and gone through security control. For business people, form whom time is essence, there are facilities of meeting rooms, where they can organize meetings, and conference before their flight. and frequent options of public transportation to and from the airport with a choice of trains, coaches, Heathrow express, taxis, makes traveling very easy and comfortable. The introduction of the Iris recognition system as a part of the immigration control has set new standards for the airport. Adding another feather to the cap is service of 500-seater A380 passenger plane, all set to begin this year. With four main terminals, and two runways operating already, the fifth terminal is due to open in 2008, empowering it to handle more than 90 million passengers. History: The foundation of the airport was laid in 1930’s as the great western aerodrome, which was privately owned and used for testing by the Fairey Aviation. The airport got its name from the hamlet heath row, which was demolished to make a way out for the airport. At that period of time, Croydon airport was the main airport for the London city, with no commercial traffic, operating through Heathrow. The airport was first opened for first civil flight on 1January 1946, with first flight for Buenos Aires, via Lisbon for fuelling. It became fully operational for civilian use on 31 may 1946, and by 1947, it had three runways operational, with another three under construction. In a journey of continuous progression, in 1977, the airport was connected to central London via Piccadilly line, with the extension of London underground to the Heathrow. The airport was privatised 1987, by the British Government, in an act of privatisation of British airports authority. Security against terrorism: Owing to the terrorist attack on the airport, first in 1994, and more recently in February 2003, with fear of more al-Qaida attack, British army, along with 1000 police officers was deployed to heighten the security of the airport. On normal days, the aviation security unit of the Metropolitan police performs the routine security check of the airport. Major disasters connected to the airport: Few of the major aircraft tragedies, attached to the Heathrow airport are: On 18 June 1972, British European Airways Flight BE548, flying London Heathrow — Brussels, crashed just after 2 ½ minutes of the take off killing all 109 passenger and 9 crew members. Another tragedy followed on the unlucky day of 23 June1985, when the Air India Flight 182, flying Montreal-London-Delhi-Mumbai, exploded in the mid-air, killing all on the board. A bomb attack on Pan Am Flight 103, Frankfurt — London Heathrow — New York — Detroit, on the tragic day of 21 December 1998, while in the mid-air, killed all on the board. Heathrow culture: Heathrow has been a favorite location for movies, with many popular movies shot against the backdrop of the airport. The airport was clearly visible in “Love actually”, a romantic comedy by Richard citrus, released in 2003. A show names “Airport”, by the BBC/ discovery wings is also shot at the airport. Another document-drama, by BBC, released in 2003, “ The Day Britain Stopped”, shot against the backdrop of the airport, presented how a poorly maintained transport infrastructure can lead to major disaster, climaxing in, a major airport collision at the Heathrow airport. Being of the most popular and busiest airport of U.K, reaching the airport can be sometimes tiresome, due to congestion in traffic. But once inside the airport, the well-organised and comfortable atmosphere will surely make you relax for the journey ahead. Now let’s take a look at quick facts about the airport, which will surely make your journey comfortable: Moving from one terminal to another: the passengers can easily walk to and from terminal 1,2 and 3, either on ground or underground. To get in and out from terminal 4 from rest of three terminals, you need to take Heathrow express train availaible free of cost from the rest three terminals. Disabled passengers- To make traveling easy and comfortable for the disabled passengers, the airport has phone facilities, outside all the terminal buildings, from where wheelchair assistance can be asked for. Even if you are able bodied, but still feel that walking all that way would be tiring, you can request a buggy assistance, as soon you check in. Information desks- Information desks and services are situated at all the terminals, and de approached round the clock. Transport- Underground trains can be accessed by following the signs from all the terminals. The Heathrow express can be accessed from all the terminals, and it takes you directly into the Central London. Departure and Arrival- use the “Arrivals” page, in case you have come to collect someone and use the “Departure” page, if you have come to drop someone flying from the Heathrow. Some external links proving additional resources and information about the London Heathrow Airport:
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