Report: British Airways First Wing security at Heathrow Terminal 5 to close for 3-4 months

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According to reports on X / Twitter from a usually impeccable source, the security channel in the British Airways First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5 is to close in January for 3-4 months.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, of course. The UK Government has mandated that airports must switch to the new ‘keep your stuff in your bags’ / ‘bring all the liquid you want’ security scanners by June.

British Airways First Wing security at Terminal 5 to close for four months

It isn’t clear why the project will take 3-4 months. Looking at feedback on Flyertalk from people who appear to have inside knowledge, the entire security area will be remodelled at the same time. However, with 24/7 working possible and no airside security constraints, it seems long.

There is apparently no requirement to reinforce the floor to cope with the weight of the new machines – something which is proving an issue elsewhere.

The check-in area in the First Wing will reportedly remain open for qualifying passengers, primarily British Airways Executive Club Gold members and ticketed First Class passengers.

You will then need to leave the Wing and head to South Security. It is reported that there will be a dedicated lane here for those who would qualify to use the First Wing, although as regular Heathrow passengers will know, staff tend to move passengers between standard and Fast Track lanes to even out the flow.

I haven’t seen any reports yet on when the main bank of scanners in Terminal 5 will be upgraded. Time is getting short, and once you get to Easter the volume of passengers will start to pick up.

More on this when we get some formal confirmation from Heathrow.

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