Heathrow's Terminal 2 opened its doors yesterday (June 3rd), almost 60 years after the original building opened as the airport's first passenger terminal in 1955.
The terminal was constructed at a cost of £2.5 billion and is the first phase of an £11 billion private sector investment, which includes the construction of Terminal 2A and B, Terminal 5 A, B and C, a new control tower, and the refurbishment of Terminals 3 and 4.
Airlines are to move into the new terminal in phases over the coming six months. Eventually, the building will be home to 26 airlines and will have 332 daily flights to 54 global destinations.
John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow development director and chief executive designate, said: "Our real measure of success is whether Terminal 2 comes to be rated by passengers as one of the world's best airport terminals for years to come."
The new terminal has been named 'The Queen's Terminal' in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and a royal opening will take place on June 23rd.