Fun Facts about Heathrow Airport
Currently Europe’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, Heathrow Airport handles an average of 205,400 passengers each day which works out to more than 70 million a year that exceeds the size of the UK population by six million. It handled 75 million passengers in 2015, which was a record, and was selected as the Best Airport in Western Europe by passengers. In June 2017, 6.76 million passengers used the airport bringing the total number of passengers to 77 million in the previous year and the daily record was also broken with 259,917 passengers using it on June 30.
Heathrow Airport was developed in 1930 by a British aero engineer named Richard Fairey, starting off as a single grass runway and a few quickly made buildings. In 1946 it was handed over to the Air Ministry as London’s first civil airport and initially it was named London airport. In 1966, the name was changed to Heathrow Airport.
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Flights out of Heathrow Airport go to 180 destinations in 90 countries with the top destinations being New York, Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, in order of popularity, on flights offered by 90 airlines. 70 percent arrivals in Heathrow are from the east over London and 30 percent are from west over Windsor.
Park Grand Hotel Hounslow offers the best affordable accommodation option in Hounslow and is just minutes away from Hounslow Central Station on the Piccadilly line, with excellent transport links to London’s airports and attractions.
Heathrow Airport will soon be expanded as 40 new destinations will be covered by flights from here making UK the most well connected country in Europe. Cargo capacity will also be doubled and number of domestic connections will be increased with the construction of a third runway.
Terminal 2 exhibits the biggest work of art, Slipstream, in Europe, that weighs 70,000 kg and is 77m long. Its cylindrical and curved shape symbolises the smoke trails left by stunt planes during air shows. It was created by British sculptor, Richard Wilson in 2014.
With the launch of the Around the World app by Little Miss Explorer and Mr. Adventure, records of children using the airport are also likely to be broken. With this app, children can help the characters to find five badges that are hidden around the terminals.
A wellness and fitness centre will also be opened after security, by the exit of Terminal 2 by the name of FlyFit that will help to reduce the effects of jet lag and soreness with yoga classes and cardio activities.
Hidden away at the south side of the airport is The Windsor Suite, which is the Queen’s own terminal and serves the Royal Family, heads of state and celebrities.
Almost 5 million eggs, 4.5 million bacon rashers and 6.4m croissants are used annually for serving breakfast to travellers. The airport sells 26,000 cups of tea, 35,000 cups of coffee and 1,050 bottles of champagne every day.