What we know about Heathrow Airport

What we know about Heathrow Airport
London’s Heathrow Airport is Europe’s busiest. (FILE/REUTERS)
Short Url
Updated 21 March 2025
Follow

What we know about Heathrow Airport

What we know about Heathrow Airport

Britain’s Heathrow Airport, a major travel hub, said it would be closed all of Friday after a huge fire at a nearby electrical substation wiped out power, disrupting flight schedules around the world.

Here are some facts about one of the world’s busiest international airport:

HISTORY:

  • The airport is named after the village or hamlet of Heathrow, which used to be roughly where Terminal 3 now stands.
  • It began as a tented village in 1946 serving 18 destinations with a handful of airlines making 9,000 flights a year.
  • The first departure was on New Year’s Day 1946 to Buenos Aires via Lisbon, the first refueling stop on a long-haul flight to open up Britain’s first air link with South America.
  • Heathrow’s first terminal for short haul flights opened in 1955. Originally known as the Europa Building, it is now known as Terminal 2.
  • Terminal 1 was formally opened in 1969 by Queen Elizabeth and was closed in June 2015. Terminal 3 opened in 1961 and Terminal 4 in 1986.
  • Terminal 5 opened in 2008. The public inquiry into its construction was the longest in British planning history, lasting nearly four years.




(FILE/AFP)


KEY NUMBERS:

  • Heathrow serves over 230 destinations in nearly 90 countries.
  • 90 airlines have made Heathrow their base, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa.
  • There are two main runways. The northern one is 3,902 meters long. The southern is 3,658 meters.
  • The airport will submit its proposal for a third runway this summer, weeks after the British government granted its support to the project citing its potential to boost trade and economic growth.
  • According to the group’s traffic summary, 5.7 million passengers traveled through Heathrow in February 2025, making it the busiest February on record. Passenger numbers amounted to 84.1 million from March 2024 to February 2025.
  • Heathrow is operating at 99 percent capacity and risks being overtaken by European rivals. Its two runways compare with four each at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle and Frankfurt Airport, and six at Amsterdam’s Schiphol.
  • There are around 475,000 total aircraft movements annually.
  • The most popular destination is New York.
  • Over 90,000 people work at the airport, the UK’s largest single-site employer.

Pakistan deputy PM announces understanding with Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy

Pakistan deputy PM announces understanding with Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy
Updated 3 min 57 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan deputy PM announces understanding with Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy

Pakistan deputy PM announces understanding with Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy
  • Ishaq Dar says Pakistan is trying to ensure the return of Afghan nationals ‘with dignity and respect’
  • He also announces steps to facilitate Afghan transit trade, demands exchange of trade delegations

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday announced a joint understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan not to allow their soil to be used against each other while addressing a news conference toward the end of his day-long visit to Kabul.
Dar’s visit to the neighboring country came amid surging militancy in Pakistan, which Islamabad blames on the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant factions. Pakistan has frequently accused the Afghan Taliban in the past of providing these armed groups sanctuaries and facilitating their cross-border attacks, allegations that Kabul has repeatedly denied.
The deputy prime minister’s visit to Kabul also took place at a time when Pakistan has intensified its campaign to deport “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, which it blames for being involved in suicide attacks and militancy in the country.
The deportation drive has further soured ties between the two nations, prompting the Afghan authorities to express “deep concern” their forced repatriation during Dar’s trip to Kabul.
“We have requested our hosts that we must work together for the development of this region, for its betterment and for establishing peace and stability here,” the deputy prime minister said while addressing the news conference. “For that, we will not allow our land or our soil to be used by anyone for any wrongful activity inside Afghanistan, and we kindly request you to do the same.”
“Both countries must strictly deal with such elements,” he continued. “Neither side should allow its territory to be used for any activity against the other, whether it concerns security or terrorism.”
Dar added in case of any militant violence, both countries “will be responsible to take firm action against such elements within our respective countries and stop them.”
The deputy prime minister also announced a number of measures aimed at facilitating Afghan transit trade, saying they would be implemented by June 30. “Exchange of trade delegations between the two countries is also vital at this stage to increase bilateral trade and ensure mutual prosperity,” he said.
Addressing Afghan concerns over the deportation, he noted Pakistan was trying to ensure that those being sent back were treated with “respect and dignity.”
He said the interior ministry would issue a notification within 48 hours providing phone numbers, WhatsApp contacts and an email address to register any complaints from Afghan nationals returning to their country.
Denying any instructions to block the sale of property by Afghans, he said that those returning to Afghanistan were also allowed to take their personal belongings back with them.
Earlier in the day, before departing for Kabul, Dar acknowledged recent “coldness” in bilateral ties but said security remained a priority.
“I believe the security of Pakistan, its people, their lives and properties, is very important,” he told state-run Pakistan Television. “So one of our concerns is regarding terrorism, which we will discuss.”
During the visit, he met with senior Afghan officials, including acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi and Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to Pakistan’s foreign office, the discussions focused on security, trade, transit and regional connectivity, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high-level engagement and enhancing people-to-people contact.


Japanese nanotube pioneer inspires Saudi youth at Riyadh science oasis

Japanese nanotube pioneer inspires Saudi youth at Riyadh science oasis
Updated 29 min 43 sec ago
Follow

Japanese nanotube pioneer inspires Saudi youth at Riyadh science oasis

Japanese nanotube pioneer inspires Saudi youth at Riyadh science oasis
  • The session included participation from several high school students
  • Known as the father of carbon nanotubes, his 1991 discovery revolutionized the field of nanotechnology

RIYADH: King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh hosted a scientific discussion featuring Japanese professor Sumio Iijima, the discoverer of carbon nanotubes and recipient of the 2025 King Faisal Prize in Science.
The session included participation from several high school students, along with various scientists and specialists, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The event was part of the center’s initiatives aimed at enhancing communication between scientists and younger generations, and inspiring students to engage in scientific research and innovation.
During the session, Iijima shared his academic journey and the early challenges he faced, discussing the motivations that led him to discover carbon nanotubes using an electron microscope.
Known as the father of carbon nanotubes, his 1991 discovery revolutionized the field of nanotechnology. His efforts established a new field in solid-state physics and materials science.
The discussion also addressed the importance of nanomaterials for future applications and their use in diverse fields such as electronics, energy storage and biomedicine. His discovery laid the foundation for countless technological innovations in the 21st century.
Iijima answered numerous questions related to scientific research and offered advice and encouragement to those interested in science and technology.
King Salman Science Oasis is a leading national initiative dedicated to promoting scientific culture and stimulating creativity and innovation across all segments of society.


Saudi university prepares talent for AI hackathon

Saudi university prepares talent for AI hackathon
Updated 39 min 37 sec ago
Follow

Saudi university prepares talent for AI hackathon

Saudi university prepares talent for AI hackathon
  • The three-day program equips participants with essential skills
  • Participants will learn to develop innovative, functional prototypes

JEDDAH: In partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, King Saud University has launched a training program for the upcoming Transformation Hackathon.
The three-day program equips participants with essential skills to thrive in high-performing hackathon teams. It focuses on building technical abilities and hands-on experience with AI tools.
Participants will learn to develop innovative, functional prototypes that address key challenges during the hackathon, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The training is a key step ahead of the main event, set for April 24–27.
The Transformation Hackathon is a strategic initiative to enhance education at King Saud University, support national talent in data and AI, and advance Saudi Vision 2030 through innovation and future-ready skills.


Russian President Vladimir Putin announces an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin announces an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine
Updated 31 min 2 sec ago
Follow

Russian President Vladimir Putin announces an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin announces an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine
  • Ceasefire will last from 6 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday to midnight following Easter Sunday

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced an Easter truce in the conflict in Ukraine starting this evening and lasting till midnight on Sunday.
The short-term ceasefire proposal from Russia comes as President Donald Trump has been pressing both Moscow and Kyiv to agree a truce, but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin.
“Today from 1800 (1500 GMT) to midnight Sunday (2100 GMT Sunday), the Russian side announces an Easter truce,” Putin said in televised comments, while meeting Russian chief of staff Valery Gerasimov.
Easter, a major holiday for Christians, is celebrated on Sunday.
“I order for this period to stop all military action,” Putin said, calling the truce “based on humanitarian reasons.”
“We are going on the basis that the Ukrainian side will follow our example, while our troops must be ready to resist possible breaches of the truce and provocations by the enemy, any aggressive actions,” Putin said.
He said that Gerasimov had told him Ukraine “more than 100 times... breached an agreement on not striking energy infrastructure.”
Russia on Friday abandoned a moratorium on striking Ukrainian energy targets after each side accused the other of breaking a supposed deal without any formal agreement put in place.
The latest truce proposal will show “how sincere is the Kyiv’s regime’s readiness, its desire and ability to observe agreements and participate in a process of peace talks,” Putin said.
Previous attempts at holding ceasefires for Easter in April 2022 and Orthodox Christmas in January 2023 were not implemented after both sides failed to agree on them.


Saudi artist on track as work displayed at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Saudi artist on track as work displayed at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
Updated 48 min 15 sec ago
Follow

Saudi artist on track as work displayed at Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Saudi artist on track as work displayed at Jeddah Corniche Circuit
  • Race Through Art competition launched in cooperation with Ministry of Sport
  • ‘This message reflects our culture to the whole world,’ says winner Yara Al-Harthi

JEDDAH: Yara Al-Harthi, the winner of the Race Through Art competition, has captured the spirit of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a powerful piece of artwork at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Al-Harthi’s artwork was displayed at the circuit ahead of the arrival of the pinnacle of motorsport in Jeddah.
The Race Through Art competition was launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport, which invited amateur and professional artists to participate in designing artistic works that reflected the unique culture of the Kingdom. The winning artwork was displayed in the run-off area at the circuit ahead of the Formula One Saudi Arabian GP, which takes place on Sunday.
The aim of the competition was to provide a platform for creative Saudi talent to showcase their work. It was open to all Saudi nationals over the age of 18, living anywhere in the world, who wanted the opportunity to present their vision of the historic sporting occasion.
Al-Harthi said: “This design is not just an artwork: It is a message, and this message reflects our culture to the whole world, especially in the fifth edition (of the grand prix).
“I used bold colors at the circuit to reflect the spirit of enthusiasm and to increase the energy of fans, and also to make them notice the integration of culture … and the main landmarks in Saudi Arabia with the race.
“I am very happy and proud that I won the competition.”