Host Airport of the 2012 Games
We've been in training for the Games too
Heathrow Airport has been getting ready to welcome the world to London. As the official Host Airport of London 2012 we'll be receiving more than 100,000 athletes, officials, VIPs and sponsors and some 200,000 items of baggage. And if you're heading abroad during London 2012, we're ready to make sure your holiday gets off to a smooth start.
Meet the team
We've recruited and trained over 1,000 volunteers from our local community to assist athletes and passengers whether arriving or departing. And if you need travel advice or help, just ask – in any of 20 languages. We've strengthened our multilingual Journey Team ready for London 2012 – look out for their name badges. We've been in training to handle extra baggage too. Our specially upgraded baggage systems are ready to deal with over 200,000 pieces of baggage, including everything from canoes and bikes to wheelchairs and vaulting poles.
Enhanced security
To maintain a smooth flow through the airport, security will be open earlier and later, and at peak times all lanes will be open. Athletes will have their own facilities.
A whole new terminal – specially for the Games
Heathrow now has a dedicated Games departure terminal for the three days following the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony – the airport's busiest during the Games. The new terminal will handle over 10,100 people and some 38,000 bags – lightening the load for the other terminals.
Media
During Games time, all media working at the airport will be issued with a pass, enabling them to work freely within the marked media zones in the terminal landside areas. Access will not be permitted without a pass therefore media wishing to film at the airport will need to register and collect a pass from a terminal media room before working at Heathrow during the Games time.
We will provide all media who are accredited to work at the airport during the summer of 2012 with access to a package of facilities and services to ensure that they have the best possible experience. Each Terminal will also have Media Assistants on hand to assist media with picking up their Heathrow pass and provide them with additional support where needed.
- Register for a media pass
- Latest press releases
- Games media brief (4MB PDF)
- Games media brief audio version (101MB file)
Before you depart
We've lots of ways to help you get the smoothest possible departure – before you even arrive at the airport. Before you travel you can:
- Getting to and from the Games – We expect roads and public transport to be much busier than usual during the Games. Plan your journey with the help of Transport for London’s dedicated site, GetAheadOfTheGames.com
- Download the Heathrow App – with up-to-date flight info, travel details and check-in information to help you plan your journey. Heathrow.com/apps
- Book parking online – and save money – we've a wide range of great-value parking options, and our car parks are always the closest to the terminals. Click here for a quote
- Shop & Collect – want to snap up a bargain at Heathrow prices, but don't want to take it on the plane? Shop & Collect lets you buy in advance and collect on return
- Reserve & Collect – browse our stores online and reserve items for pick-up at the airport
Facts in figures
- 31 check-in lanes at the temporary Games Terminal diverting 10,100 athletes and 38,000 bags away from the main terminals.
- 250 Jumbo jets that could be filled with visitors going to the Games via Heathrow.
- 3,000 CCTV cameras in Terminal 5 alone.
- 6,405 Paralympians' wheelchairs passing through the airport – some teams with more than 100.
- 20,000 non-EU Olympic athletes and officials required to submit facial, fingerprint and biometric data to enter Britain.
- 220,000 litres of fuel pumped from the Fawley depot for a Boeing 747.
- 80% of Games passengers to be welcomed at Heathrow – that's equivalent to 250 jumbo jets full.
- 13 August 2012 (the day after the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games) will be the busiest day in Heathrow's history.
- 200,000 bags expected on the peak day compared to 150,000 on a normal day.
