BAA is forecasting an increase in the number of passengers using the Heathrow Express after airline check-in desks are introduced at Paddington Station later this month.
On June 23, BAA, in partnership with Paddington’s owner Railtrack, opens 27 check-in desks for 20 airlines (Travel Weekly May 3).
BAA hopes the new check-in desks will increase the number of daily passengers from 13,000 to 15,000.
Chief executive Sir John Egan revealed the Heathrow Express made a £2m operating loss in its first nine months. However, he added: “It is expected to make an operating profit in 1999/2000. April passenger numbers reached a daily average of over 13,000 and peaked at over 17,000.”
BAA unveiled overall pre-tax profits up 7.5% to £516m in the year to March 31.