The new home of Star Alliance in London
LONDON, U.K., June 23, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the new home of Star Alliance at London's Heathrow Airport, unveiling a plaque that names the facility "Terminal 2: the Queen's Terminal", in recognition of her long association with the airport.
Britain's Queen, who last year celebrated the 60th anniversary of her coronation, also opened the former Terminal 2 building that once occupied the same site as the new purpose-built facility back in 1955. The new Terminal 2 started its operations smoothly earlier this month.
This latest addition to Heathrow airport will house all 23 Star Alliance member airlines that serve the UK's only hub airport. So far, United, Air Canada, Air China and ANA have successfully commenced operations there and the remaining airlines will move in gradually by November. This schedule ensures each move is as smooth as possible for passengers.
Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance said: "It is terrific to see this new terminal coming to life as our Heathrow home after so many years of careful planning and construction. We are honoured that Her Majesty the Queen has lent her name to this fantastic new facility which will deliver an excellent service to Star Alliance customers at this major hub."
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow Development Director and CEO designate, said: "Heathrow is delighted to welcome Her Majesty to open her new airport terminal. Today is a celebration of the great work by many people and many organisations from across the country to create a new front door for the UK.
"The completion of the new Queen's Terminal is the culmination of an £11bn private investment programme that delivers a world-class hub airport that the UK can be proud of," he added.
Heathrow Airport welcomed The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to an opening ceremony attended by over 1,000 people who were either involved in the construction of the building or are part of the team now working in the new terminal. Her Majesty unveiled a commemorative plaque that will later be installed in a public part of the building for passengers and colleagues to see. The U.K. Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin MP, gave a short address.
During the visit The Queen met various people including the Chairman, Chief Executive and Development Director of Heathrow Airport; the Chief Executives of the Star Alliance airlines; Luis Vidal, the lead and concept architect for Terminal 2; a group of prominent British retailers who have recently opened premises in the new terminal; Richard Wilson, the designer of the Slipstream art installation situated in the forecourt of the terminal; and various representatives of companies across Britain who were part of the construction team.
The 23 Star Alliance member airlines serving Heathrow represent over 20% of the airport's traffic. It is the first time all Star Alliance carriers will be in a single Heathrow terminal, creating a superior travel experience for passengers, new business opportunities for the member airlines and providing an improved working environment for employees.
From Terminal 2, the Star Alliance airlines - Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, and United - will provide over 120 flights a day to 45 worldwide destinations in 25 countries. These provide access to Star Alliance's global network of 1,269 destinations.
Further information on Heathrow Terminal 2 can be found at: www.heathrow.com/t2
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognized by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award and Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI and United. Air India has been announced as a future member airline with Avianca Brazil to join under the existing Avianca membership. Overall, the Star Alliance network offers more than 18,000 daily flights to 1,269 airports in 193 countries.
Image with caption: "Staff in uniform from the Star Alliance airlines stand in front of the entrance to Terminal 2: The Queen's Terminal (CNW Group/STAR ALLIANCE)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140624_C8532_PHOTO_EN_41701.jpg
SOURCE: STAR ALLIANCE
Star Alliance Press Office
Tel: +49 69 96375 183
Fax: +49 69 96375 683
Email: [email protected]
www.staralliance.com
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