our ‘programme client partners’ to be part
of our planning team – Arup, Jacobs, Mace
and Turner & Townsend. We are planning a
primarily UK-based supply chain to deliver
expansion, so that we deliver British jobs
while we build as well as when the new
airport opens. We will choose our delivery
partners during the next phase of planning.”
Heathrow’s expansion must be affordable,
sustainable and financeable, therefore the
CEO says the company will be looking
for partners who can be innovative in its
construction: “We want to build as much as
possible off-site, minimising the impacts of
construction on communities around Heathrow
and spreading economic benefits across theUK, so it is better to think of Heathrow as an
assembly site, rather than a construction site,”
he explained. “We have already started the
selection process for these off-site ‘logistics
hubs’ from a long list of 65. We’re on track for
construction to start in 2021.”AIRLINE FLEETS
While the final designs for the expansion
are not yet fixed, the airport will have to
estimate how many of its customer airlines’
flights are likely to involve the largest aircraft,
specifically the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8
Intercontinental so it can build the appropriate
infrastructure. Other new aircraft types
could benefit Heathrow, as Holland-Kayecommented: “We are still near the beginning
of a big change in airline fleets, with 787s,
A350s and A320neos transforming the way
we travel. The new, more efficient aircraft are
increasing the number of markets that can be
served efficiently from a hub airport. Qantas,
for example, has launched the first commercial
direct flight from Heathrow to Australia.
This could shift airline traffic from transfer-
dominated hubs, such as those in the Gulf,
to markets like Heathrow, with strong O and
D [origin and destination – meaning point-to-
point] demand. With expansion, we can once
more be the world’s best-connected airport.”
In addition to the third runway’s preparatory
work, there have been some infrastructure
changes at the airport recently. For example,
a pier attaching the main Terminal 2 building
to a satellite has been removed. Access to
the north-south satellite has not been affected
as passengers can now reach it via a new
underground walkway.CARGO
The CEO said: “Cargo is hugely important.
Heathrow handles over 30% of non-EU
exports [by value], 94% of which travels in the
belly hold of passenger planes. As we add
new routes, we will broaden the UK’s trading
network. Expanding Heathrow will allow us to
double cargo capacity, while making the flow
of goods through the airport more competitive
against Frankfurt and Schiphol.”
Holland-Kaye may be looking forward
to that post-expansion position, but he
also confesses to being extremely satisfied
with recent results: “Last year, we had a
remarkable record-breaking year with the24 Aviation News incorporating Jets May 2018Part of the Terminal 5 complex that is British Airways’ main base of operations. Anthony Charlton/LHR Airports LimitedAn Emirates Airbus A380 lifts off from Heathrow. The type has helped increase passenger
numbers at the slot-constrained airport. David Dyson/LHR Airports Limited20-25_heathrowDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 24 06/04/2018 15:13