FEATURE Heathrow Airport Overview Part One

Welcome to our second feature series, this time examining the history of major UK and international airports and giving an in-depth overview of them. This, like the History Of An Airline feature, will be a weekly series that will be examining the origins of influentual airports from around the globe, and seeing how they have developed over the years to their current status. You will see on our site that we have already delved into the history of UK airports somewhat with our Heathrow Airport History looking at various points in the airports development.

This feature will go more in-depth however and look at many different angles. This feature, because of the size of Heathrow Airport, will be a two part article so look out for next week when we will complete our look at the busiest airport in the UK. So let's start with the UK's largest airport Heathrow!

Pictured above: Modern day Heathrow Airport

Airport Origins

Heathrow Airport in its current form was first used during the First World War when it was used for military operations by the army for training the Royal Flying Corps. It continued in this military role until 1919 when hostilities had ceased. Aviation was a very new technology at this time, and airfields were basic and lacking compared to modern facilities with the then 'terminal buildings' consisting of tents and pre-fabricated structures.

1930's

By the early 1930's ownership of the airport had passed to Fairey Aviation with Charles Fairey purchasing the 150 acre plot for £15,000. Fairey Aviation used the airfield for aircraft construction and testing with the major commercial passenger airport in the area being Croydon Airport. The airfield also had other names during the 1930's being known as Great Western Aerodrome and Harmondsworth Aerodrome.

1940's

At the outbreak of the Second World War RAF Hurricanes were stationed at the airfield (pictured below) to provide defence against the oncoming onslaught of the Luftwaffe. In 1943, during The Second World War, a decision was made by The Ministry of Air to modify the site to a Royal Air Force Transfer Base. Despite war still taking place construction began on the runways in 1944 by Wimpey Construction. The name Heathrow was derived from the nearby hamlet of Heath Row which was flattened and was located approximately where Terminal 3 now stands. Towards the end of the Second World War RAF Lancaster bombers and DC3 Dakota transport aircraft (pictured below) were stationed at the airfield amongst many other military aircraft.

Pictured below from left to right: RAF Hurricane, RAF Lancaster Bomber, DC-3 Dakota transport aircraft

Despite the investment made by The Royal Air Force the airfield was finished too late in the war effort to have been required, thus was transferred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation on the 1st of January 1946. It was not until the 31st of May 1946 that Heathrow Airport opened completely for passenger air travel. The following year the airport had three runways and there were another three that were under construction. The runways were designed for piston-engined aircraft as jets were not factored in to the design and the runways were built in a 'star arrangement' to ensure there was always a suitable runway regardless of wind conditions.

1950's

By 1951 passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport has already reached the 796,000 mark and with the dawn of the jet age the construction of the airport runways moved to concrete in the early 1950's. Queen Elizabeth II laid the first slab of runway concrete in 1953. Two years later in 1955 Her Majesty also opened the Europa Building which is now known as Terminal 2. It was in the same year that a new control tower was also opened at the airport which was to a height of 38.8 metres. The new control tower was designed by Frederick Gibberd and replaced the old military tower that had been constructed when the RAF were using the airport as a military airfield. Heathrow Airport saw significant passenger usage in the 1950's as passenger numbers had already reached the 796,000 mark by 1951.

1960's

As the 1960's arrived so did a new terminal building at Heathrow Airport. The Oceanic Terminal (now known as Terminal 3) was opened on the 13th of November 1961 handling the airports long haul routes. In addition to this helicopters operated from the roof to Central London. The opening of the terminal building greatly increased the airports capacity and by the time the third terminal building was opened to the public in 1968 Heathrow Airport was handling 14 million passengers every year.

One point of note regarding the terminals is an almost amusing lack of understanding from the owners of Heathrow Airport about the future of air travel. At the time the terminal buildings were planned and constructed at the centre of the airport site, the assumption by all was that only the wealthy would ever be able to travel by air, thus their chauffers would drive them to the airport eliminating the need for extensive car parking. This decision, even today, seriously restricts the ability of Heathrow Airport to expand. The 1960's also saw a tunnel constructed at the south of the southern runway that created a connection to Terminal 1, 2 and 3.

1970's

Into the 1970's and work began on the expansion of Terminal 3 with an arrivals hall being constructed. Various modifications and upgrades were made ncluding the first implementation of 'people mover' systems that are still used to this day. Runway modifications were also made in the early 1970's with both airport runways being extended to handle new aircraft such as the Boeing 747 which was a new arrival in the aviation sector at the time and required runways that no other previous aircraft had needed. The airport also decided to operate only two runways as the others had to be sacrificed for terminal extensions except for the smaller Runway 23 that crossed the two main ones that was used if cross-wind landing or take-offs were needed.

Above: Heathrow underground station

Transportation links were enhanced in 1977 with the expansion of London Underground to Heathrow Airport that then provided a link to Central London that took only an hour via the Piccadilly Line. Rail services were improved again much later in 1998 when the Heathrow Express train service began which gave a direct rail link to Londons Paddington Station.

1980's

As the airport moved into the 1980's the need for more passenger capacity was clear. Passenger numbers were at 30 million annually and another terminal was needed if the airport was to keep pace with demand. As a result Terminal 4 was designed and constructed located south of the southern runway and the tunnel that had been previously constructed was used to link the new building with the other three terminals. Terminal 4 was opened in 1986 by the Prince and Princess of Wales and was occupies soley by British Airways. The following year BAA (British Airports Authority) that owned Heathrow Airport was privatised by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government along with six other UK airports.

1990's

As the airport moved into the 1990's more investment was made in retail facilities at the airport as it was recognised that significant finance could be obtained from such outlets. Eateries as well as shops sprang up around the airport providing an excellent shopping and eating experience for all passengers in all terminal buildings.

2000 Onwards

This trend continued into the year 2000 and onwards with retail becoming an ever more important factor in te development of Heathrow Airport.

Part 2 of the Heathrow Overview will continue next week where we will be looking at the ownership of Heathrow Airport as well as safety, facilities and many other aspects of the largest airport in the UK. Make sure you check back to learn all you need to know about Heathrow Airport.

Published by: Jon Vickery