From our Chief Commercial Officer
Important update from Heathrow
Dear passengers and colleagues,
We want to keep you updated on the measures we are taking to ensure our passengers and colleagues are safe during these difficult times and why it is vital for the UK that Heathrow continues to operate during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Most importantly though, we also want to ask for your help.
We’re asking all passengers to help by following the UK Government’s advice and practicing social distancing at the airport. This means leaving at least two metres between yourself and other people, including our colleagues.
In our terminals you’ll notice plenty of signs, digital screens, markers on floors, and banners asking you to do just this. We’ve also instructed our colleagues to manage queues to meet these requirements.
These actions are part of the measures we continue to take in line with the Government’s medical advice, which also include:
- The installation of over 600 hand sanitiser dispenser locations across the airport.
- The closure of all shops and restaurants, except for a select few distributing take-away food and pharmaceutical products
- Card only payments for products
- Enhanced cleaning procedures and frequencies for all areas.
At this time, we are asking people only to come into our terminals if it’s absolutely necessary, for example if you are taking a flight yourself, or helping a friend or relative who requires assistance before they are welcomed by our Heathrow care team.
Please only arrange to be picked up at the airport by somebody you live with where possible, and that they do not enter the terminal to greet you.
It is crucial that we can all work together to keep the airport safe and open so that critical repatriation flights and cargo services can continue to operate. As the UK’s hub airport, we are playing a crucial role in facilitating the supply chain of vital medical goods and food for the nation at this time, which means:
- Logistics companies have already begun importing key equipment such as COVID-19 testing kits via Heathrow, in preparation for increased demand
- Next week, cargo movements at Heathrow are forecast to surge by 53%, compared to the weekly average, as the airport prioritises cargo flights with medical supplies which will assist in the fight against COVID-19
- 41% of the UK’s pharmaceutical products such as medicines, vaccines and respirators are imported via Heathrow.
If you would like information on which car parks are available to use for pick-up, and other onwards travel links from our terminals, or answers to other frequently asked questions, please visit the following pages.
Parking - www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/heathrow-parking
Travel to and from Heathrow - www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions
FAQs - www.heathrow.com/coronavirus
Thank you to all of our passengers for your continued support and please do help us keep you as safe as possible
Lastly, I’d personally like to say a big thank you to all of the incredible colleagues across the airport that continue to keep flights moving and people safe. Your work is playing a vital role in keeping the whole of the UK moving.
Sincerely,
Ross Baker, Chief Commercial Officer
