By IRNA
London : The British monarch Friday officially opened Heathrow Airport’s controversial Terminal 5, west of London, describing it as “a 21st Century gateway to Britain.”
The Pnds 4.3 billion (Dlrs 8.6 bn) terminal with a “bright, airy space and clean, efficient layout” was ready for business, Queen Elizabeth said, but it will not be operational for passengers until March 27.
Airport operator BAA said it would put Heathrow at “the leading edge of global travel” even though it will be used exclusively by Britain’s national airline, BA.
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said the terminal, the UK’s largest free-standing building, was “destined to become one of London’s most iconic transport buildings.”
But environmental groups opposed to the expansion warned it will lead to more flights and pollution, with fears that it will pave the way for the building of a third runway to increase the airport’s capacity.
Heathrow, the world’s busiest for international flights, currently processes 67 million passengers a year in a space optimistically designed before for 45 million.
The number is some 10 million more than its nearest European competitor.
The new terminal, which began construction to the west of the airport in 2002, will have facilities for 60 aircraft stands, 3,800 car parking spaces, 96 self service and 54 standard check-in desks.
It claims to be able to process 12,000 bags an hour.
Security is also a factor having an advanced x-ray machine designed to detect explosives and liquids and automatically divert suspicious bags to one side for further examination.
Domestic passengers will also have their fingerprints scanned and photographs are taken at passport control, before being checked again at the departure gate to confirm identity.
British Airways also said that passengers will be turned away at security checkpoints if they arrive less than 35 minutes before their flights under a strict regime.
The opening paves the way for the closing later this year of Terminal 2, the first to be built at Heathrow in 1955.
Plans are to redevelop terminals 1 and 2 into a new super Heathrow East terminal.