Air India is moving to Heathrow’s newly refurbished Terminal 4 on 25 May after more than 43 years of operating from Terminal 3. The move will take place overnight so that all departing and arriving passengers will be welcomed at Terminal 4 on the morning of 25 May.
Air India passengers will benefit from more check-in space, a dedicated new premium lounge, and more space at arrivals for meeters and greeters. £170 million has been invested, and the refurbishment has been so successful that a recent passenger survey ranked Terminal 4 as Europe’s most improved airport terminal.
To celebrate Air India’s move, Heathrow staff will be donning traditional Indian dress, have been given lessons in welcoming passengers in Hindi, and will be greeting Air India customers with garlands and trays of luxury barfi sweets.
BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said: “I am delighted that Air India’s will be flying from the newly refurbished Terminal 4. It means easier journeys and a better airport experience for their passengers. Direct flights to India are very important for the UK: they create jobs and bring families together. That’s why we are investing to modernise Heathrow and keep it Europe’s number one airport for Indian flights.”
Chairman and MD, Air India, Mr. Arvind Jadhav, said: “We are moving to Terminal 4 in Heathrow after a half-century in our old home at Terminal 3, and we looked forward to BAA’s support in making it a success in terms of enhanced convenience and comfort for our passengers.’’
Air India is one of Terminal 3’s longest airline residents, starting its operation in the 1960s with Heathrow’s first ever connection to Mumbai. Since then it has increased its route network, connecting London to some of India’s most exciting cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Amritsar. Today, Air India flies more than 390,700 passengers annually from Heathrow, and Heathrow has more direct flights to India than any other airport in Europe.
