Heathrow operator BAA has confirmed it wants a suspension of the penalty regime that applies if service levels drop following the opening of Terminal 5 next March.
BAA has to reimburse airlines if standards fall below specified levels. The revelation that BAA is requesting suspension of the rule is damaging since the operator has consistently claimed the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 will ease congestion.
BAA hopes the Civil Aviation Authority will allow a temporary suspension of the penalty regime after requesting a blanket suspension last December.
British Airways will move most of its services to Terminal 5 from the end of March 2008 and BAA will then demolish the out-of-date Terminal 2, with other airlines taking the space vacated by BA at Terminals 1 and 4.
BAA has insisted the transfers will go smoothly, but delays appear inevitable – especially given the likelihood of heightened security measures.
Heathrow chief executive Tony Douglas, who resigned last week, described the airport as being “held together by a sticking plaster.”
The airport operates at 98.5% capacity, meaning there is no leeway to cope with hold-ups due to security, the weather or air traffic delays.