Heathrow Historians launched as London’s leading airport celebrates 75 years

UK. London Heathrow celebrates its 75th anniversary as a commercial airport on 31 May, and is marking the occasion with the launch of ‘Heathrow Historians’. The initiative aims to highlight the airport’s history through the personal stories and memories of colleagues, passengers and members of the local community.

The hub airport – which has now welcomed more than 2.5 billion passengers over the years – noted that it has just experienced “the most difficult year in its history”. However it aims to reflect on the journey of growth undertaken in its 75 years, and to look ahead at what the next 75 could bring.

The airport company observed that it has played host to some of Britain’s most memorable moments. These include British ESA astronaut Tim Peake landing at Heathrow following his six-month trip to the International Space Station; the Beatles returning to the UK as global superstars in 1964; the arrival of Her Majesty the Queen onto sovereign soil for the very first time as the reigning monarch; and the iconic Love Actually scenes, filmed at Terminal 3 in 2003.

Stories, memorabilia and archive imagery are all available to view now on the Heathrow Historians virtual museum here. Viewers will find memories about the last Concorde flights, and recollections from Ian Bird, who monitored airport operations for any risk from the Millennium Bug back in 1999.

In addition, the airport has scoured its own archive, based at the University of West London, to showcase a selection of momentous moments from the past 75 years, such as HRH The Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales opening Terminal 4 in 1986 and, in 2006, the arrival of the first ever A380 to Heathrow.

Longstanding airport partners, British Airways, NATS and WHSmith have also contributed to the virtual museum.

Heathrow Historian Keith Bollands said: “It was my first-ever flight from Heathrow’s Terminal 1 at the age of ten that sparked what has been a life-long interest in aviation. From then, to visiting the roof gardens of the Queens Building in the school holidays, and to my role in the security team at Heathrow, the airport has played a significant part in my life.

“I’m so pleased to see just some of my memories of visiting, travelling through and working at such an iconic location reflected in the archive.”

Heathrow CEO John Holland Kaye said: “Over the past 75 years Heathrow has undergone an incredible transformation, from a once military airport, to a national asset and globally-recognised brand.

“Heathrow Historians provides us with the opportunity to celebrate the people who make Heathrow possible, and to commemorate the long-serving connections many of our colleagues, passengers and local community members share with the airport.

“As we cast our eyes forward to the next 75 years, I look forward to watching Heathrow recover from its worst year to grow from strength to strength, protecting the benefits of aviation for future generations to come.”

Heathrow added that the global pandemic has created unprecedented challenges, meaning the airport has had to draw on its seven decades of experience in safely and securely seeing passengers on their way.

But it said that, in its 75th year, it is looking forward to getting back to what it does best – reuniting friends and families, creating connections and making memories – reminding the nation of the possibility of journeys to come.

The public are encouraged to submit their own Heathrow memories to the virtual museum by emailing Heathrow_historians@heathrow.com, where the submissions will be assessed before being added.