Countdown to Heathrow terminal five’s opening

Nicole Mezzasalma

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BAA recruits 15,000 passengers to extensively test new building

Airports group BAA has recruited 15,000 passengers to test every aspect of London Heathrow airport’s new terminal five, scheduled to open in six months. The testers will evaluate the terminal’s car parking, check-in facilities, baggage systems, way-finding and security facilities.

Construction on the £4.3bn ($8.6bn) terminal complex began in 2002. When launched in March 2008, T5 will service 30m passengers and contain 215,901sq ft (20,066sq m) of retail space divided among 144 shops and restaurants. Retailers already confirmed to have space at T5 include Dixons Tax Free, Tiffany&Co, Mulberry, Reiss, Paul Smith and Ted Baker. WH Smith will operate six shops totalling 12,000sq ft (1,115sq m), the same size of a Harrods flagship store in the terminal. An Urban Retreat spa will also be available to travellers.