BA traffic at Heathrow Terminal 5 on the rise

Nov 18, 2008
More than 12,500 British Airways (BA) customers in Bahrain have passed through London Heathrow airport's Terminal 5 in the two months since it opened, it was revealed yesterday.

BA Middle East commercial manager Paul Starrs said there had been a remarkable transformation in punctuality since the travel chaos which marred the opening of the £4.3 billion (BD2.95m) facility in March.

Flights to and from Bahrain were originally due to begin using the complex on April 30, but it was postponed until September 17 as a result of disruption that saw thousands of passengers' luggage lost.

However, Mr Starrs said more than 95 per cent of flights arriving and departing at Terminal 5 now leave within 15 minutes of schedule, based on data collected in September.

"We have achieved our objective of making British Airways passengers' journey through Heathrow smooth, simple and stress-free," he told a Press conference at the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel, Residence and Spa

"We have speeded up the whole airport process, leaving travellers with more time for relaxing, eating, shopping or working."

Mr Starrs said the average check-in time for passengers using pre-printed boarding passes and self-service kiosks was 8.5 minutes and it took just over five minutes to pass through security.

The Dubai-based official was in Bahrain to brief the media about the latest industry developments and update them on the progress of Terminal 5.

He was accompanied to the briefing by BA's Bahrain International Airport manager Asantha Ranasinghe.

Earlier this month, BA announced a 92 per cent fall in its half-year profits compared to last year, but Mr Starrs said the airline's Middle East market was still performing well.

"Very high fuel prices, a slowdown in the economy of our key market (the US) and the global credit crunch have combined to make it an unprecedented trading environment for the airline industry so breaking even will be a significant achievement this year," he said.

"It is going to be a very challenging time for Middle East airlines if they are looking to be in the market long-term and have sustainable profits.

"I do not think we have seen the last of airlines going out of business."

Mr Starrs also played down fears that soaring operating costs would mean a hike in ticket prices, saying the airline offered a BD300 year-round fare from Bahrain to London for those able to book in advance.

"Some fares will rise but many will come down," he told the GDN.

"Our lead-in fares are lower than last year.

"If you book early and plan your travel you can get really good value flights, particularly for people who want to upgrade from business class."

Terminal 5, which is five times the size of the Terminal 4, features 96 self-service kiosks and another 96 fast bag drop desks and houses extensive retail facilities with 144 stores and restaurants spread across 200,000sq ft.

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Source: Gulf Daily News