Heathrow Airport History
Heathrow Airport began as the Great West Aerodrome, a private airfield built by Richard Fairey in 1930 before being requisitioned by the military during World War II. It officially opened as a civil airport, London Airport, in 1946 after the war and was renamed Heathrow Airport in 1966, taking its name from the ancient hamlet it replaced. Since then, it has become a major hub with multiple terminals, a connection to the London Underground, and an ever-increasing capacity to handle international travel. The Precursor: The Great West Aerodrome (1930s)
Origins: In 1930, British aircraft builder Richard Fairey purchased land in the village of Harmondsworth to build a private airport called the Great West Aerodrome.
Early Use: It featured a single grass runway for assembling and testing aircraft.
World War II and Military Takeover (1940s)
RAF Requisition:
During World War II, the British government requisitioned the site for use as a Royal Air Force (RAF) transport base.
Demolition:
The hamlet of Heath Row, from which the airport takes its name, was demolished to facilitate the expansion of the airfield.
Civilian Airport: London Airport (1946)
Opening: Following the end of the war, the UK government decided to develop the site as a civil airport.
Official Launch: It opened on March 25, 1946, as London Airport.
Growth and Renaming to Heathrow (1960s-1970s)
Infrastructure Development: The 1950s and 1960s saw the construction of new permanent buildings and terminals to replace the ex-military structures.
Renaming: In September 1966, the airport was officially renamed Heathrow Airport.
Expansion and Modernization
London Underground: The airport gained its first London Underground link in 1977.
New Terminals: Terminal 4 opened in 1986, followed by the large Terminal 5 in 2008.
Ongoing Development: The airport's infrastructure has continued to evolve, with demolition and redevelopment of older terminals occurring in the 2000s.
Heathrow Today
Global Hub: Heathrow is now one of the world's busiest international airports, serving over 200 destinations across 80 countries.
Major Airline: British Airways is the dominant airline at the airport.
Operational Challenges: The airport faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to reduced operations and terminal closures.
Origins: In 1930, British aircraft builder Richard Fairey purchased land in the village of Harmondsworth to build a private airport called the Great West Aerodrome.
Early Use: It featured a single grass runway for assembling and testing aircraft.
World War II and Military Takeover (1940s)
RAF Requisition:
During World War II, the British government requisitioned the site for use as a Royal Air Force (RAF) transport base.
Demolition:
The hamlet of Heath Row, from which the airport takes its name, was demolished to facilitate the expansion of the airfield.
Civilian Airport: London Airport (1946)
Opening: Following the end of the war, the UK government decided to develop the site as a civil airport.
Official Launch: It opened on March 25, 1946, as London Airport.
Growth and Renaming to Heathrow (1960s-1970s)
Infrastructure Development: The 1950s and 1960s saw the construction of new permanent buildings and terminals to replace the ex-military structures.
Renaming: In September 1966, the airport was officially renamed Heathrow Airport.
Expansion and Modernization
London Underground: The airport gained its first London Underground link in 1977.
New Terminals: Terminal 4 opened in 1986, followed by the large Terminal 5 in 2008.
Ongoing Development: The airport's infrastructure has continued to evolve, with demolition and redevelopment of older terminals occurring in the 2000s.
Heathrow Today
Global Hub: Heathrow is now one of the world's busiest international airports, serving over 200 destinations across 80 countries.
Major Airline: British Airways is the dominant airline at the airport.
Operational Challenges: The airport faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to reduced operations and terminal closures.
