UK. A new BBC One TV series putting Heathrow Airport in the spotlight begins its run tonight. The Airport: Back in the Skies features behind-the-scenes footage of the UK’s number one travel hub as it began to see international travel reopen in late 2021.
The series will show how Heathrow dealt with sudden changes in restrictions as the Omicron COVID-19 variant struck just before Christmas, and how it worked on reopening travel in early 2022.
Key moments featured in the series include the reopening of travel to Australia, the Virgin Atlantic and British Airways dual take-off to mark the restart of UK-US flights, and Christmas travel.
The series follows colleagues from across Heathrow including Baggage, Passenger Services, Airside Operations, NATS, various airlines and the new Terminal 2 restaurant, Shan Shui.
Presenter Jeremy Spake also interviews Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye throughout the series, covering topics from sustainability through to the industry’s recovery.
Holland-Kaye said: “It was fantastic to take part in this series, filmed at a fascinating time for Heathrow and our partners. Just as we could see light at the end of the tunnel, Omicron struck to provide fresh uncertainty at the end of two very challenging years.
“The show provides a great insight to the way that Team Heathrow colleagues responded to borders reopening, passengers returning and the Christmas getaway against the backdrop of Omicron and resource constraints.”
He added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Jeremy to the airport and I hope he enjoyed meeting our wonderful colleagues and passengers. As a former Heathrow colleague, he offered a unique view on the airport’s ability to react and adapt to any crisis.”
Spake said: “While COVID has been truly devastating for the aviation industry globally, it also provides a first chance in more than 20 years to reaffirm high standards and outstanding quality of service.
“And perhaps most importantly it gives us an opportunity to press the reset button, by under-promising and over-delivering to customers who are eager to reconnect with others face to face. I am delighted to be back at Heathrow and of course BBC One!”
