Heathrow chosen as host airport of London 2012 Games
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has today announced Heathrow as the host airport of the Games and official supplier to London 2012 in a Tier Three sponsorship deal.
The London 2012 Games will present a unique operational challenge for Heathrow.
It is estimated that about 80% of people travelling to the Games from outside the UK, including athletes, officials, media and spectators, will pass through the airport. The agreement also sees Heathrow become London 2012′s 42nd domestic sponsor.
LOCOG Commercial Director Chris Townsend said: ‘For many athletes, officials and spectators, their first experience of London and the UK will be Heathrow. I’m delighted that BAA and the airport are committed to ensuring that first impression will reflect London 2012 in terms of branding, but crucially also by providing the warmest of welcomes to the city.’
The day after the Olympic Closing Ceremony is set to be the airport’s busiest day ever. A total of 218,000 bags are expected to leave the airport on 13 August 2012, compared to 160,000 on the previous busiest day.
A range of options are being considered to manage the extra demand, including baggage drop facilities at the Athletes’ Village, shipping some baggage as freight, and construction of a temporary ‘Olympic terminal’ at the airport.
Around 15% of the bags will be oversized sporting equipment such as canoes, pole vaults or bikes which cannot be processed through normal baggage systems.
Heathrow has also launched its own volunteer scheme for London 2012 and other major events. The airport will recruit 1,000 volunteers from local communities who will meet and greet athletes, VIPs and spectators during Games time.
BAA Chief Executive Colin Matthews said: ‘We are tremendously proud to be the host airport of the London 2012 Games. Every part of the airport is working together so we can give the world’s greatest athletes the world’s greatest welcome.’
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