Opened in 2014, London Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) is currently supported by an ageing baggage system at the now closed Terminal 1. Anticipating a surge in passenger numbers over the next decades, the Future T2 program will create a new advanced baggage system within the existing T2 site, providing fast and efficient baggage handling while building capacity for future growth.

Involved since inception, we have delivered design and project management services to progress the program through the optioneering phase. We assessed 50 options for how to integrate a new baggage system into a heavily constrained live site – amongst existing buildings, infrastructure and services – without disrupting operations and passengers. Our solution will clear existing infrastructure so that a 280m x 130m x 30m deep excavation site can be built to install a new £900m advanced baggage system. The option received buy-in from all Heathrow executive teams and 19 airline stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with Heathrow as one single team, we are focussed on finding the best and most innovative solutions to deliver this complex multifaceted program. This has involved drawing on AECOM’s wide-ranging specialist skills in project management, structural engineering, architecture, lean construction, tunnelling, digital delivery, design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), visualisation technology, process automation, and more.

We will continue to support the program until 2027.