Ruth Haines
Heathrow Airport, the largest and busiest airport in the United Kingdom, is located in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The airport, which is 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London, has two parallel east-west runways, four passenger terminals, and one cargo terminal. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and is used by over 89 airlines flying to 214 destinations in 84 countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London |
| Site Area | 4.74 square miles (12.3 square kilometres) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Number of Terminals | 4 passenger terminals and 1 cargo terminal |
| Primary Hub | British Airways |
| Base | Virgin Atlantic |
| Number of Destinations | 214 destinations in 84 countries |
| Number of Airlines | Over 89 |
| Number of Passengers (2021) | 19.4 million |
| Busiest Year | 2019 (80.9 million passengers) |
| London Borough | Hillingdon |
| Postcode | TW6 |
| Surrounding Villages | Sipson, Harlington, Harmondsworth, Longford |
| Surrounding Neighbourhoods | Cranford, Hatton |
| Parliamentary Constituency | Hayes and Harlington |
| Proximity to Hounslow | 3 miles (5 kilometres) west |
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What You'll Learn
Heathrow Airport is in the London Borough of Hillingdon
Heathrow Airport began in 1929 as a small airfield called Great West Aerodrome, on land southeast of the hamlet of Heathrow, from which the airport takes its name. The land at the time consisted of farms, market gardens, and orchards, including a \"Heathrow Farm\" and a \"Heathrow House." Heathrow Airport opened in 1946, and it has since been gradually expanded over 75 years.
The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings, following the privatisation of the British Airports Authority. In 2021, Heathrow served 19.4 million passengers, with 17 million international and 2.4 million domestic. The busiest year on record was 2019, with 80.9 million passengers travelling through the airport. Heathrow is also the UK's largest port by value, with a network of over 218 destinations worldwide.
The London Borough of Hillingdon has opposed plans to expand Heathrow Airport, citing concerns about increased air and noise pollution, congestion on local roads, and the impact on local communities. Despite this, Heathrow Airport Limited has pursued plans for expansion, including the construction of a third runway.
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It is 14 miles west of Central London
Heathrow Airport is located 14 miles west of Central London. It is the primary and largest international airport serving London, the capital and most populous city in the United Kingdom. Heathrow is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, which also includes Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and Southend. The airport is owned and operated by Heathrow Airport Holdings and is the busiest airport in Europe.
Heathrow Airport is situated within the London Borough of Hillingdon and falls under the Twickenham postcode area, with the postcode TW6. The borough of Hillingdon is located in west London and is home to other landmarks such as Twickenham Stadium and London Museum of Water & Steam. The airport is surrounded by several villages and neighbourhoods, including Sipson, Harlington, Harmondsworth, Longford, Cranford, and Hatton.
The airport's history dates back to the 1930s when it was founded as a small airfield known as the Great West Aerodrome. It has since expanded over 75 years and now boasts two parallel east-west runways, four passenger terminals, and a cargo terminal. Heathrow is the primary hub for British Airways, with the airline operating half of all flights.
Being 14 miles from Central London, Heathrow Airport is conveniently accessible by various transportation options. The Heathrow Express, a private railway service, provides a quick 15-minute nonstop journey between London Paddington station and the airport. Alternatively, passengers can opt for the London Underground's Piccadilly Line, which typically takes around 50 minutes to reach the airport from central London.
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The airport is 3 miles south of Hayes
Heathrow Airport is located 3 miles south of Hayes. The airport is 14 miles west of Central London and is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It is the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, including Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and Southend. Heathrow Airport is also the busiest airport in Europe and the second-busiest airport globally by international passenger traffic.
The airport is situated within the Hayes and Harlington parliamentary constituency. Heathrow falls entirely within the boundaries of the London Borough of Hillingdon and is under the Twickenham postcode area, with the postcode TW6. The airport is surrounded by villages such as Sipson, Harlington, Harmondsworth, Longford, and neighbourhoods like Cranford and Hatton.
The borough of Hillingdon borders the boroughs of Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, and the Spelthorne district of Surrey. The area has a predominantly residential land use, with a large, commercial town centre in Hounslow. Other large town centres within the borough include Chiswick, Feltham, and Brentford.
Heathrow Airport's history dates back to 1929 when it was known as the Great West Aerodrome, a small airfield southeast of the hamlet of Heathrow. The land consisted of farms, market gardens, and orchards, including Heathrow Farm and Heathrow Hall. Over the years, the airport has expanded significantly, adding terminals and runways to accommodate the growing aviation industry.
The airport's expansion has faced opposition from local councils and residents due to concerns about increased air and noise pollution, congestion, and the impact on local communities. Despite these concerns, Heathrow Airport remains a vital hub for international travel and a significant contributor to the UK's economy.
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Heathrow is surrounded by villages like Sipson and Harlington
Heathrow Airport is located 14 miles (23 km) west of Central London. It is entirely within the boundaries of the London Borough of Hillingdon and is surrounded by several villages, including Sipson and Harlington.
Sipson is a village in the London Borough of Hillingdon, which is the westernmost borough of Greater London, England. The village is located 14.3 miles (23 km) west of Charing Cross and near the north perimeter of Heathrow Airport. The name "Sipson" comes from the Anglo-Saxon "Sibwines tūn", meaning "Sibwine's homestead or village". The place was originally a farmstead, one of three in the Harmondsworth parish, and over time, it grew into a semi built-up village. In the late 19th century, Sipson Farm was run by Thomas Wild & Son. After World War I, the amount of fruit growing in the area decreased, and by 1939, less than 10% of the orchard area remained. In 1944, the construction of Heathrow Airport began, and Sipson Farm lost much of its land south of the Bath Road. The farm eventually shut down in 1970, and the remaining land was left to become wild overgrown vegetation. Today, the entry to the former farm is the entry to 335 Sipson Road.
Sipson has been at the centre of controversy regarding the proposed expansion of Heathrow Airport. In 2009, the village was under threat of demolition to make way for a third runway at the airport. However, due to environmental concerns and the potential breach of gas pollutant thresholds, the High Court of Justice ruled that the plan must be reconsidered, and the third runway plan was cancelled. Despite this, there are still ongoing efforts to acquire property in Sipson, which could impact future expansion plans for the airport.
Harlington is another village located near Heathrow Airport. It is part of the Hayes and Harlington parliamentary constituency. In the late 19th century, much of the land in Harlington was used for orchards of fruit trees, including plum, cherry, apple, pear, and damson trees. After World War I, fruit growing in the area declined due to competition from imports, similar to what happened in Sipson. The construction of Heathrow Airport affected the nearby villages, including Harlington, with aircraft noise impacting the surrounding areas.
In addition to Sipson and Harlington, other villages and neighbourhoods surround Heathrow Airport, including Harmondsworth, Longford, Cranford, and Hatton. The airport is easily accessible from these surrounding areas and has great transport links, including the Elizabeth Line. The countryside surrounding Heathrow Airport offers beautiful scenery, including the nearby village of Wraysbury, which boasts spectacular views and great transport connections.
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It is in the Hayes and Harlington parliamentary constituency
Heathrow Airport is located within the Hayes and Harlington parliamentary constituency. The airport is 14 miles (23 kilometres) west of Central London and is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. It is also the largest of the six international airports in the London airport system, seeing 80.9 million passengers in 2019, its busiest year on record.
Heathrow Airport is administratively in the London Borough of Hillingdon. It is surrounded by the villages of Sipson, Harlington, Harmondsworth, and Longford to the north and the neighbourhoods of Cranford and Hatton to the east. The borough's predominant land use is mainly residential, with a large, commercial town centre of Hounslow.
Hounslow town developed on either side of the main Great West Road from London to the West of England, which once served famous manufacturers including Firestone, Gillette, and Coty. The area became known as the "Golden Mile". Today, the Great West Road still provides easy non-motorway access between Slough, Heathrow Airport, and Central London.
Hounslow Council has opposed plans to expand Heathrow Airport, arguing that a third runway would cause unacceptable air and noise pollution. The council has also raised concerns about the lack of proper assessment of the impacts on people arising from the expansion, including increased congestion on local roads and the impact of Heathrow's ambition to double its freight capacity.
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Frequently asked questions
Heathrow Airport falls entirely within the boundaries of the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Heathrow Airport is under the Twickenham postcode area, with the postcode TW6.
Heathrow Airport's IATA code is LHR.
Hounslow is the closest town to Heathrow Airport.
