uk.superbrands.com Superbrands UK Vol. 24 Market Covid-19 has disrupted travel immensely, however, Heathrow has remained open during the pandemic. It adapted by consolidating its operation into Terminals 2 and 5, to facilitate repatriation flights and cargo deliveries. In 2020, 46% of the UK’s pharmaceutical products were imported through Heathrow, including the transportation of vital PPE to the NHS. Heathrow made a conscious effort to help those most in need during the pandemic, donating PPE to the NHS alongside the local community. Heathrow has been diligent in following Government guidelines to help reduce the spread of the virus through the development of increased and technologically advanced cleaning measures. This year, Heathrow became the first UK airport to pass the CAA’s Covid-19 Security Assurance Scheme and was awarded the 4* Skytrax Covid-19 Airport Safety Rating (Source: stytraxratings.com). It has also continued to promote its Fly Safe campaign, giving passengers the confidence to travel through the airport safely. Heathrow is now looking forward to welcoming more travellers back to the airport, with all four terminals back in use alongside both runways. Achievements During the pandemic, an enhanced focus has been placed on ensuring the safety of colleagues and passengers alike. Many precautions were put in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. Stringent cleaning measures and the participation in multiple testing trials took place as well as the creation of Covid-19 testing facilities at the airport. In addition, hundreds of hand sanitiser stations were created as well as enhanced cleaning regimes, prominent signage featuring government health advice, Perspex barriers for frontline contact points and face covering reminders. The airport implemented a number of pioneering technologies to thoroughly clean passenger touchpoints, including UV cleaning robots, which use UV rays to quickly and efficiently kill viruses and bacteria at night; UV handrail technology was also fitted to escalators to ensure continuous disinfection of the moving handrails; and anti-viral cleaning methods to security trays, lift buttons, trolley and door handles, aiming to provide long lasting protection from Covid-19. Heathrow retrained 100 colleagues to serve as hygiene technicians who were assigned to thoroughly disinfect the airport and answer passenger queries on the methods being used. Heathrow also made remarkable efforts to support the local community. For the younger generation, Heathrow compiled online educational resources to assist with home-schooling. It also donated 70 laptops to students who didn’t have devices at home in order to aid their home learning. In addition, Heathrow donated £95,000 in rapid emergency funding to support local community groups. One project equipped elderly people with technology, allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends, in an effort to minimise the effects of loneliness. Heathrow Employment and Skills Academy Awards have been running for 17 years, with the aim of helping people into work. To date, 5,800 people have been supported, with a contribution of £13.5m into training and career development. History London Airport opened on its current site in 1946 with The British Airports Authority being created in 1966, seeing London Airport renamed as Heathrow Airport. Fast forward to 1998 and the Heathrow Express rail service began. Another landmark came in 2008 when Terminal 5 was opened and saw the first commercial A380 flight arrive at Heathrow. In 2010, Terminal 2 was demolished and work started on its £1bn replacement. Two years later, Heathrow welcomed the world as Host Airport for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Terminal 2: The Queen’s Terminal then opened in June 2014. In 2018, Heathrow committed to ongoing sustainability plans for neutral growth in an effort to make aviation travel more sustainable.
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