BAA unveils latest plans for Foster's new Heathrow terminal

BAA has unveiled its latest plans for a new Terminal 2 at Heathrow Airport.

The airport operator has announced that the first phase of the £1bn building, originally known as Heathrow East, will be complete in 2013.

The first phase of the new terminal building will cover 185,000m², which means it will be just over half the size of the 300,000m² Terminal 5. The second phase will extend it yet further, and will be completed in 2019.

Construction is already under way on the terminal, which will replace the existing Terminal 2 and the Queen's Building, both set to be demolished later this year.

The project will be built by HETco, a joint venture between Laing O'Rourke and the Spanish company Ferrovial Agroman. Foster + Partners provided concept designs.

Steven Morgan, BAA capital director, said: “This is an exciting project, for the engineers and builders, and for our airlines and passengers.

“The challenges are not to be underestimated. We are constructing a significant new building in the middle of one of the world's busiest airports and ensuring the operating airport is not affected is an absolute priority.”