Terminal 1 first opened its doors to passengers in 1968 and was formally inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in April 1969. At the time, it was celebrated as the largest new airport terminal in Western Europe, going on to serve millions of passengers as a major hub for short-haul European and domestic flights.
After 47 years of service, the terminal officially closed to passengers on 29 June 2015 to make way for the second phase of Terminal 2’s expansion. The final passenger flight departed for Hanover at 9:30pm that evening, an emotional moment for many who had worked in or travelled through the building over the decades.
Despite its closure, Terminal 1 has continued to support Heathrow’s operation in a limited capacity, currently housing the baggage system for Terminal 2. Its demolition therefore represents not only the removal of a structure, but also a carefully coordinated transition to ensure operations continue seamlessly.
The demolition itself is anything but straightforward. Inside the building, teams have already stripped out more than 150 kilometres of service cables, achieving this impressive feat without damaging any existing underground utility service while carrying out work. The next phase involves demolishing five airside buildings across a total area of 11,000 square metres.
Given Terminal 1’s close proximity to live airport operations, safety is the demolition team’s top priority. Preventing debris from reaching the airfield is critical. To mitigate this risk, the building is sprayed with water to dampen materials, while dedicated teams monitor works closely to ensure no stray debris escapes.
Once demolition is complete, the newly freed space will play a crucial role in Heathrow’s long-term development. It will allow key operational functions to be relocated, making room for Terminal 2’s new baggage system and supporting the terminal’s future expansion.
Project Manager George Tsiamtsouris explained how this work fits into the wider programme:
“Demolishing the northern section of Terminal 1 will enable us to build a parking area to free up the space around Stand 209. This will rebalance stand capacity and create space for the ongoing Terminal 2 Baggage programme.”
As Terminal 1 slowly makes way for what comes next, the project stands as a reminder of Heathrow’s constant evolution, honouring its past while building towards a more efficient, resilient future.
