BAA Ltd, owner and operator of six British airports including London Heathrow, has announced that the airports under company management are all ready to receive the influx of international visitors for the 2012 London Olympic Games, which commence tomorrow.
Colin Matthews, the chief executive of BAA, said, ‘We are pleased that Olympic arrivals have gone smoothly so far but there is lots more to do. London 2012 is Britain’s biggest peacetime transport challenge and we are spending more than GBP20 million to ensure Heathrow is ready for its busiest ever period, including building a temporary Games Terminal; preparing to host remote check-in at the Olympic Village; and training more than 1,000 volunteers who are giving a warm welcome to athletes on behalf of London.’
The company has recently released its results for first six months, ending June 30, 2012, and has reported revenues of GBP1.2 billion, an 8.4 percent increase on the same time last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation have increased by 8.8 percent to GBP555.2 million, in the first six months of 2012, compared to those in the first six months of 2011.
Commenting on the results, Matthews said, ‘BAA is reporting a strong operational and financial performance for the first half of 2012. Higher passenger numbers and increased yields are driving revenue growth which is being invested in new facilities for passengers. Passengers tell us they are noticing the improvements with Heathrow receiving its highest ever passenger satisfaction scores in the two most recent quarterly Airport Service Quality surveys.’
