The Arora Group has revealed its plans for new terminal buildings at London Heathrow Airport as part of its bid to undertake development of Heathrow’s expansion. Known as the Western Hub, the new terminals have been designed to provide capacity for over 50 million additional passengers.
The estimated cost of Arora’s airport expansion plans to full capacity is £14.4bn (US$19.5bn), less than half of the £31bn (US$42bn) quoted by the competing scheme from existing airport company Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL). Arora is competing with HAL for expansion development rights.
Arora’s Western Hub plans have been designed by architects Corgan, with the proposals concentrating on new terminal capacity on the western side of Heathrow between the existing Terminal 5 (T5) and the M25. The companies believe this avoids the need to redevelop existing terminals in the Heathrow central area (Terminals 2 and 3).
Instead of new and independent terminal buildings, the Western Hub integrates new passenger facilities with T5 into a single hub campus.
Surinder Arora, founder and chairman of the Arora Group, said, “Our approach has been to work closely with airlines and to employ the world’s best and most experienced airport designers and these benefits are clearly evident in our Western Hub plans.
“Heathrow has been in monopoly control for too long and our proposals show what can be achieved through an alternative approach and Heathrow fully welcoming competition.
“We are passionate about developing a Heathrow that delivers a truly world-leading experience; one that works for airlines; one that offers passengers a top-class journey; and one that has the commercial grounding to be a long-term success for the nation to take pride in.”
The plans also include: a new integrated rail/air interchange within the central concourse, linking Heathrow to existing and new rail networks, and also allowing passengers to check-in at the interchange; fully integrated technology to improve passenger experience by boosting operational efficiency and reducing cost; and a unique architectural design.
Jonathan Massey, principal of Corgan’s aviation studio, commented, “Our plans maximize the site’s potential, incorporating a large number of gates next to T5, reducing passenger connect-times, and including an integrated public transport hub as part of an innovatively designed ‘central processor’ core area, to develop the best operational solution for Heathrow.”
