(Ferrovial) Terminal 5

Opened on 27 March 2008, Termial 5 was one of Europe’s largest and most complex construction projects. It was completed on time and on budget, with an outstanding safety record.

Home to British Airways, Terminal 5 consists of three main buildings; the main terminal building and two satellites, Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C.

The main terminal has a natural directional flow; departing passengers walk the width of the building from check in to gate and arriving passengers wak the reverse. This means that even though the terminal is very large, walking distances are very short.

In addition to the main terminal buildings, the overal project included 60 new aircraft stands, an underground rail station, a 3,800 space multi-story car park, a new spur road from the nearby motorway and 13km of bored tunnels. A new air traffic control tower was also required to be built at the airport.

Sustainability formed a key part of the Terminal 5 project. Waste heat from the terminal power plant is used to satisfy 85% of heat demand, saving 11,000 tonnes of CO2 a year. Intelligent lights adjust to the level required and escalators and baggage systems slow down when not in use.

Terminal 5C, the second satellite to Terminal 5 is expected to become operational in 2011.