The pandemic has hard hit the travel industry in the United Kingdom. Compulsory Quarantine and less movement reduced the demand for air travel worldwide. To cope with the situation and prevent expenses, Heathrow closed its terminal 3 in April 2020. However, as more people get vaccinated and demand for air travel rises, terminal 3 will reopen on July 15.
Virgin Atlantic and Delta Air Lines are the first to operate. Virgin Atlantic, Delta, and the Middle East Carriers, members of the Sky team alliance, operate out of Heathrow’s terminal 3. Commenting on this news, Virgin Atlantic’s Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Corneel Koster, said:
“We’re delighted to finally be back on our home turf, and I know our teams can’t wait to warmly welcome our customers to terminal 3, as they return to the skies in style, as they fly safe and well with Virgin Atlantic.”
In September of 2016, Delta Started to operate from terminal 3 alongside Virgin Atlantic, which had been there for a long time. The reopening of terminal 3 will allow Delta and Virgin Atlantic to access their respective lounges.
“Moving back to our home in terminal 3 will allow our customers to once again enjoy the award-winning experience they have missed during the pandemic,” said Delta’s Regional sales manager, Nadia Clinton,
The majority of airlines operating from terminal three are oneworld alliance members. Cathay Pacific, Qatar, Finnair, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Royal Jordanian are some of them. These flights were shifted to terminals 2 and 5. China Eastern Airlines was also shifted to terminal 2. With terminal 3 re-openings, flights to Qatar, Hong Kong, Tokyo, etc., will also be operated from terminal 3.
The reopening of Heathrow’s terminal 3 is a sign that the world is gradually recovering from the pandemic. Many airlines have plans to bring flights back to the pre-pandemic level, and there are signs of recovery everywhere.
