BA's cargo commitment Anna Cox BRITISH AIRWAYS has just ended one of the most exciting 5-year periods in its history, culminating in the opening of the three sections of the new cargo terminal at Heathrow Airport, managing director Gareth Kirkwood told Airfreight Express in Johannesburg during a recent visit to honour the airline's top clients. The airline has invested £300 million in the construction of a cargo terminal near the old one at Heathrow, which includes facilities for perishables, special facilities and express freight. ÒThe old buildings were outdated and we had outgrown them. We now have the finest, most sophisticated equipment in the world," he said. Kirkwood said the transition from the old buildings to the new had taken about seven years of planning and about five years of changes. ÒWe are traditionally known as a passenger airline but we are committed to cargo as well on a long-term basis. This massive investment in our new facilities is the single biggest investment ever made by BA besides the purchase of new aircraft, and the entire company will benefit from this," he said. The new cargo facility is currently handling 500 000 tons of cargo but in the 25 to 50 year period, has the capacity to expand to 800 000 tons.
