More than 370,000 Middle East Passengers Pass Through Airline's Heathrow Hub in First Six Months

Dubai, UAE.  26th March, 2009:  British Airways - the UK's flagship carrier which operates 61 weekly services from the Middle East to London Heathrow Airport - has welcomed more than 20 million customers through the doors of Terminal 5 during its first year of operation.

Additionally, in the six months since British Airways' regional services transferred to Terminal 5 in September, 2008, more than 370,000 Middle East passengers have passed through the airline's exclusive £4.3 billion (AED 23.26bn) home at London's principal airport.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways' Area Commercial Manager, Middle East, said: "We have welcomed more than 20 million customers and handled more than 154,000 flights during Terminal 5's first 12 months.

"This includes 1,120 flights from the Middle East, carrying more than 370,000 regional customers, approximately 250,000 of which have come from the UAE.

"Terminal 5 is a resounding success. Customers continue to give us great praise on their Terminal 5 experience and they really love the speedy check-in, the light and spacious interiors, the lack of queues, smoother transfers and our luxurious lounges," added De Renzis.

British Airways, which flies 100,000 customers per day, revealed Terminal 5 is currently giving customers the best travel experience they have had at Heathrow for many years, with many so impressed they have given the airline its most positive feedback scores ever; more than 75 per cent of customers have said they were extremely or very satisfied with the airline.

"Our operations in Terminal 5 and customers' views of the facilities are giving us a real competitive edge at the moment, which is ever more critical given the tough economic times facing the whole aviation industry," continued De Renzis.

The airline is also achieving its best punctuality and baggage performance figures in almost a decade as a result of the new terminal, which was opened on March 27, 2008.

On most days more than 90 per cent of flights now depart on time, and baggage retrieval is so quick that arriving customers often find their bags waiting to be collected as soon as they clear passport control.

Terminal 5 first year facts

  • More than 20 million customers

  • More than 154,000 flights departed or arrived at the terminal

  • October 14, 2008, was the most punctual day in BA's recorded history

  • The BA1464 to Edinburgh on March 4, 2009, was the earliest departure - leaving a record 17 minutes early

  • More than 1,850,000 customers have used the six luxurious lounges in the terminal, which were built at a cost of £60 million (AED 324.6m)

  • Edinburgh was also the most popular shorthaul destination

  • New York and Hong Kong were the most popular longhaul destinations

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© Press Release 2009