Includes New Terminal Area And Business Park

Heathrow Airport has released artist's renderings of its proposed third runway, including a new central terminal area and business park.

According to airport officials, a three-runway Heathrow will provide up to 740,000 flights a year. They say that will allow Heathrow to compete on an equal footing with Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. It also provides sufficient hub-airport capacity until at least 2040.

In a document posted on the Heathrow website, the airport says the proposal complements existing plans already in place to better connect Heathrow and the UK. "This means that by the time a third runway is operational, new rail services to the north, east, south and west are due to be delivered," the document states. 

There will also be two main passenger terminals and transport hubs – Heathrow West (Terminals 5 and 6) and Heathrow East (an extended Terminal 2) – connected by an underground passenger transit and baggage system. Minimum connection times between terminals falling from 75 to 60 minutes.

Overhauled cargo facilities will improve and increase capacity. The plans include climate-controlled cargo environments, improved transit facilities and dedicated freight access points including a potential cargo railhead.

Land set aside for commercial developments such as offices and hotels will provide more than enough space to replace commercial premises lost to the third runway, the report indicates.

(Images provided by Heathrow Airport)

FMI: http://your.heathrow.com/heathrow-releases-new-third-runway-images/