London Heathrow Airport
Commonly known as “Heathrow”, London Heathrow airport is the principle airport of the UK and the busiest airport in Europe. However, it is also the fact that the airport actually handles more international traffic than any other airport in the world which really brings home how vital and influential the airport is. If Heathrow comes to a stand still this can have a massive knock on effect to many different areas of the world!
For those who are not aware of the history of London Heathrow, the airport was built in the 1930s as a military base although it did not receive its current name, Heathrow, until the 1940s. The name derives from the small hamlet of Heath Row which was actual demolished to make way for the airport, and would have stood roughly where terminal 3 is today. After WWII the airport fell quiet as the military preferred to make use of their various other facilities around the country and Heathrow was ultimately transferred to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in January 1946. It was on the 1st January 1946 that we saw the first commercial flight from the airport, a trip to Buenos Aires via Lisbon.
The 1950s, 60s and 70s saw a constant increase in size and capacity for the airport as it started a surge to the highest league of airports around the world. When you consider that first phase of the airport’s life as part of the military to today’s situation which sees 67 million passengers a year, over 90 airlines using London Heathrow and in excess of 170 destinations available worldwide, it really is a remarkable story.
After former owner BAA was taken over by Spanish conglomerate Ferrovial Group, London Heathrow airport is for the first time under foreign ownership. However, the presence and influence of the airport is still as strong as ever with landing spots like gold dust – priceless.