In what is a positive sign of the times towards the reset of travel, Heathrow, Britain’s busiest airport, has announced it will be reopening Terminal 3 from July 15 for Virgin Atlantic and Delta flights.
Britain’s Heathrow Airport announced on Monday that it would reopen a terminal this month as it prepares for a higher number of travellers with the government expected to scrap quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated passengers to some countries.
The terminal was closed in May 2020 as passenger numbers plunged during the pandemic but after more than a year of restricted travel, the aviation industry in Britain is preparing for growth.
“With passenger demand expected to increase when ministers permit fully vaccinated passengers to travel more freely, Heathrow is getting ready to welcome you back,” Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said in a statement.
The reopening of Terminal 3 means that all of Heathrow’s four terminals will be operating.
The airport said it planned to continue to use Terminal 4 as a dedicated hub for arrivals from high-risk countries on Britain’s “red list” where passengers must quarantine in a hotel for 10 days.
In a recent statement from Virgin Atlantic, the airline wrote “we’re coming home”, and said both Virgin Atlantic and partner airline, Delta “are looking forward to safely welcoming customers back onto their home turf, which has been missed by many,”
Corneel Koster, Virgin Atlantic Chief Customer and Operating Officer, commented: “We’re delighted to finally be back on our home turf, and I know our teams can’t wait to warmly welcome our customers to Terminal 3, as they return to the skies in style, as they fly safe and well with Virgin Atlantic.”
Virgin Atlantic destinations including Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and Israel are all classified as “Green” on the Government’s travel list, which means customers are not required to self isolate on their return.
Delta is operating nonstop services between Heathrow and both Atlanta and New York-JFK, however, U.S. entry restrictions for non-essential travellers from the U.K. still apply.
Via AAP by Sarah Young; editing by Michael Holden