Heathrow plans new temporary terminal for Olympics
By Jim Boulden, CNN
updated 5:38 AM EST, Fri January 20, 2012
London's 2012 mascots Wenlock and Mandeville pose outside the Olympics store at Heathrow Airport.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- The day after Summer Olympics end is expected to be the busiest in Heathrow's history
- The airport estimates it will check through 10,000 athletes on that one day
- To ease the crush, it plans a temporary terminal just for departures
- Heathrow will also allow athletes to check their luggage at Olympic Village on that day
London (CNN) -- August 13 is likely to be Heathrow Airport's busiest day in its history, so the airport is building a temporary terminal to check through more than 10,000 athletes on that one day, the day after the closing ceremonies of the London 2012 Games.
With 80% of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, media and other visitors expected to use Heathrow during the games, the world's busiest international airport unveiled the design of a temporary terminal to be used just for departures.
"The airport ... already operates close to capacity," said Nick Cole, the head of Heathrow's Olympics planning team. "Every part of the airport is working together to ensure we can give the athletes a warm welcome and ensure all passengers enjoy the atmosphere."
London has had a relatively smooth seven years of planning and building venues. The one big worry for organizers and the city is transport.
There are plans to limit car traffic while creating special Olympics-only traffic lanes. Officials have also asked companies to find ways to keep some employees out of central London and off the busy transport networks during July and August.
In recent years, Heathrow has suffered from baggage snafus, snow disruptions and strikes.
To help get people out of London after the games, Heathrow will allow athletes to check their luggage at the Olympic Village east of the city.
Heathrow expects a 35% increase in baggage on August 13.
Departure will not be the only challenge. The airport expects nearly 50% more passengers arriving on July 26, the day before the opening ceremony.
That includes 390 athletes bringing in 780 firearms, says Heathrow.
Part of complete coverage on
With other unlikely sports joining the lineup, CNN's Amanda Davies wonders if pole dancing could ever become an Olympic event?
updated 9:37 AM EDT, Wed May 23, 2012
The stands around the ring were mostly empty and the bout was just an exhibition, but the boxers battled as if a title was on the line.
updated 9:28 AM EDT, Thu May 24, 2012
A century after her childhood inspiration Jim Thorpe won two gold medals, synchronized swimmer Mary Killman will be competing in her first Olympics.
updated 1:20 PM EDT, Thu May 24, 2012
CNN's Ben Wyatt goes behind the scenes with Adidas as it hopes to give its athletes the edge during the 2012 Olympics.
updated 11:15 AM EDT, Wed May 16, 2012
When Tyson Gay sprinted to three gold medals at the 2007 world championships, it looked like the American would be athletics' next superstar.
updated 2:45 PM EDT, Fri May 11, 2012
London unveils The Orbit sculpture, with the city's mayor claiming the bright red swirling structure is better than the Eiffel Tower.
updated 7:57 AM EDT, Tue May 1, 2012
Not every athlete gets to train with their heroes, but Jennifer Pinches is lucky enough to be friends with one of hers.
updated 9:50 AM EDT, Wed April 25, 2012
When Tommie Smith and John Carlos made the infamous Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics, they had the support of a "little white guy."
updated 7:20 AM EDT, Thu April 12, 2012
Some athletes will go to any lengths to get their hands on an Olympic gold medal, but drug cheats will find it harder than ever at London 2012.
updated 9:41 PM EDT, Wed April 18, 2012
Seven years after upsetting favorite Paris to win the right to host the 2012 Olympics, London is in the final straight of a long and often bumpy run-up.
updated 9:05 AM EDT, Wed April 11, 2012
Veronica Campbell-Brown has overcome grinding poverty to become one of the greatest Olympians that Jamaica has ever produced.
updated 12:39 PM EDT, Tue April 3, 2012
Nadia Comaneci will forever be remembered as the first gymnast to achieve the perfect score of 10 in Olympic competition at Montreal in 1976.
updated 10:37 AM EDT, Fri March 23, 2012
Football is part of the lifeblood of the people of Brazil. So it is a matter of national concern that the five-time world champions have never won an Olympic gold medal.
updated 11:45 AM EST, Fri March 2, 2012
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 became the backdrop to one of the most infamous contests in Olympic history.
When London last staged the Olympics in 1948, in the aftermath of World War II, it was called the "Austerity Games."
Most popular stories right now
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|