Travel

T5 - The good news

Lost in the gloomy cloud which descended over Heathrow's Terminal 5 after its catastrophic opening are some impressive facts.

In 2007, 68 million passengers passed through Heathrow, using facilities originally designed to accommodate 45 million. With the opening of Terminal 5, 30 million passengers will move out of existing terminals, presenting a unique opportunity to redevelop and modernise the rest of the airport. By 2012, the British Airports Authority (BAA) claims they will have effectively created a new London airport. Despite its initial problems, T5 has some pretty special features.

Baggage

Terminal 5 has the biggest, single terminal baggage handling system in Europe, including a 'fast track' system which enables time-critical bags to be given priority routing through a separate, high-speed system and delivered direct to the aircraft stand of departing flights. At peak times, 11 miles of baggage belts will be able to cope with 12,000 bags per hour at speeds of up to 30mph.

In what may be a unique system anywhere in the world, passengers transferring from international British Airways flights to another BAA UK airport do not need to collect their luggage and pass through Customs. Instead, their bags will be tagged for possible inspection at their destination.

Security

As the world's first new major airport terminal post-9/11, Terminal 5 utilises the new generation of security x-ray machines. These entail a number of labour-saving devices intended to speed up the process. For example, there is no stopping the system while suspect bags are taken off. Instead, with a press of a button they are whisked into a secure siding. The x-ray inspection system also detects and pinpoints explosives and liquid substances in carry-on baggage. In addition, passengers have their photograph taken and fingerprint scanned at one of 21 security channels, with the fingerprint being checked again at the gate before boarding.

Shops & restaurants

With over 140 stores and restaurants, Terminal 5 is in effect the UK's latest shopping complex and must rank as one of the largest airport malls in the world. Many purchases will be tax-free. Retail tenants include Harrods, Dior, Gucci, Prada, Paul Smith and Tiffany, while caterers include Cafe Amato, Caffe Nero StarbucksEat and Gordon Ramsay's first airport-based restaurant, Plane Food.

British Airways is moving towards 80 per cent of passengers using online check-in or a self-service kiosk when they arrive at the terminal.

Terminal 5 covers the equivalent of 50 football pitches.

At 40 metres high, 396 metres long and 176 metres wide, the main terminal building is the biggest free-standing structure in the UK.

T5 has 100 showers in the Arrivals Lounge and a total of 446 toilets, including - a first for Europe - one for a dogs.

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