Star Alliance’s new Heathrow terminal named in honor of Queen Elizabeth II

LONDON, England – The new Terminal 2 at London Heathrow Airport, the future home of Star Alliance at Britain’s premier aviation hub, is to be known as “Terminal 2: the Queen’s Terminal” in recognition of Queen Elizabeth II and marking her long association with the airport.

Britain’s Queen, who this year celebrates the 60th anniversary of her coronation, also opened the former Terminal 2 building that once occupied the same site as the new purpose-built facility, which is due to start operations on June 4, 2014. The announcement that the monarch has agreed to continue this close association with Heathrow and Terminal 2 comes on the eve of her official birthday, June 15.

Mark Schwab, CEO Star Alliance said: “We are delighted that our airlines will be operating from a terminal named for Queen Elizabeth II. We are particularly honoured that this announcement, which reaffirms the role and importance of aviation in today’s world, comes on the eve of Her Majesty’s official birthday.”

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow’s Development Director, said: “The Queen opened the original Terminal 2 more than half a century ago and we’re delighted that Her Majesty has kindly agreed to give her name to the new Terminal 2. Everyone at Heathrow is extremely proud of our long association with The Queen and we know the new Terminal 2 will be a fitting continuation of that tradition.”

The new Terminal 2 will be the home for all 23 Star Alliance member airlines serving Heathrow and representing over 20% of the airport’s traffic. It is the first time all Star Alliance carriers will be in a single Heathrow terminal, creating a superior travel experience for passengers, new business opportunities for the member airlines and providing an improved working environment for employees.
From Terminal 2, the Star Alliance airlines – Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways – will provide 136 flights a day to over 51 worldwide destinations. Future member carrier EVA Air will also join the member carriers in T2 during the course of 2014.