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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Heathrow confirms T2 as new Star Alliance home

Written by Doug Newhouse
Thursday, 13 December 2012 07:51

Heathrow Airport has made the important decision to move all Star Alliance carriers into Heathrow Airport Terminal 2 when it opens in 2014.

While the decision has pleased the Star Alliance group, it also provides a good lead time for Heathrow to settle upon its retail mix in the new modern terminal which will now serve multiple nationalities amongst those member airlines that will use Heathrow Terminal 2. The decision should also create some interesting transfer traffic retail opportunities in the new terminal.

Mark Schwab, CEO of the Star Alliance said: “We are delighted by today’s decision, which gives the green light for creating a new travel experience for our customers and allows our member's airlines to operate an efficient hub in London.

“After many years of intensive planning for a world leading alliance terminal together with Colin Matthew’s team at Heathrow, we can now shift into implementation mode.”

Star Alliance is the second-largest alliance grouping at the UK’s most important airport, offering more than 21% of all available seat capacity from the airport.

T2 WILL FEATURE THE 'LATEST TECHNOLOGY'
Both Heathrow and the Star Alliance says that now the way is clear for the creation of a true alliance terminal, which will offer "many innovative features". The latest technology, as well as integrated facilities and aligned processes among the member carriers are expected to contribute to significantly improve the traveller’s experience.

Star Alliance members in Terminal 2 will also benefit from the minimum connecting time between flights of around 45 minutes, thereby increasing the number of possible flight connections by 31%, although this will also raise some retail challenges for the airport.

Star Alliance carriers are due to move into the new T2 facility in phases during 2014. Further information on the Heathrow Terminal 2 project can be found at: http://www.heathrowairport.com/about-us/rebuilding-heathrow/heathrow's-new-terminal-2

The Star Alliance airline membership network includes the following carriers, although as mentioned, not all of all these fly from Heathrow: Adria Airways; Aegean Airlines; Air Canada; Air China; Air New Zealand; ANA; Asiana Airlines; Austrian; Avianca; TACA Airlines; Brussels Airlines; Copa Airlines; Croatia Airlines; EGYPTAIR; Ethiopian Airlines; LOT Polish Airlines; Lufthansa; Scandinavian Airlines; Shenzhen Airlines; Singapore Airlines; South African Airways; SWISS; TAM Airlines; TAP Portugal; Turkish Airlines; THAI; United; and US Airways. EVA Air has also been announced as a future member.

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