Heathrow Airport’s controversial Terminal 5 is set to be opened by the Queen in a ceremony involving hundreds of airport and construction workers. The £4.3bn terminal offers extra passenger capacity although the number of flights will not increase after it opens for business on 27 March.

Operator BAA says it will “transform” the level of service at the airport.

Environmental and residents groups who have opposed it say it will lead to more flights, noise and pollution.

The Queen, who in 1955 opened the airport’s first terminal building, what is now Terminal 2, will be accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh along with 800 invited guests, including hundreds of airport and construction workers involved in the project.

Some 60,000 people have worked a total of 100 million man hours to build Terminal 5 since construction began in September 2002!

Built on the site of a former sludge works at the western end of the existing airport, Terminal 5 has been designed by 2006 Stirling Prize winners Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners.

Its construction has involved diverting two rivers, building what is claimed to be the UK’s largest free-standing building and tunnelling 13km for rail and baggage links.

The complex includes 50 new aircraft stands, which will rise to 60 by 2010, two satellite buildings, one of which is still to be completed, rail links to London Underground and the Heathrow Express, and a new multi-storey car park. Friday’s official opening is of the project’s Phase 1, including Terminals 5A and 5B. Phase 2, which adds Terminal 5C, is set to open in 2010.