London Heathrow has been named official host airport for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The vast majority (80 per cent) of athletes, officials, sponsors, media and spectators are expected to pass through Heathrow’s gates next summer.
If you are planning to fly out of Heathrow on 13 August 2012 then be warned, the day after the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games is likely to be the airport’s busiest day ever.
Almost 220,000 bags are expected to leave the airport on that busy day with approximately 15 per cent of the bags likely to include complex sporting equipment such as canoes, pole vaults or bikes.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) took the decision to name London Heathrow as the official host airport for 2012.
Chris Townsend, LOCOG Commercial Director said: “For many athletes, officials and spectators, their first experience of London and the UK will be Heathrow.
“I’m delighted that BAA and the airport are committed to ensuring that first impression will reflect London 2012 in terms of branding but crucially by providing the warmest of welcomes to the city.”
According to Heathrow’s owner BAA, the airport will operate a volunteer scheme, recruiting 1,000 volunteers from local communities. This scheme will also run during the Games when those involved will get the opportunity to meet and greet athletes, VIPs and spectators.
BAA Chief Executive Colin Matthews said: “We are tremendously proud to be the host airport of the London 2012 Games. Heathrow will be the first and last impression of the London 2012 Games for thousands of people.”
“This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of something special. Volunteers will be helping spectators find their way, managing fans waiting for a peek of their heroes.”
Last month Heathrow experienced a record high of passenger numbers, with 6.9 million travellers passing through. Sunday, 31 July was officially the airport’s busiest day ever with 233,561 passengers counted as having passed through.
(Image: Magnus Bråth)
