London’s Heathrow Airport is gearing up for a busy summer season, with Terminal 4 coming out of mothballs, in the hope of recovering from the massive blows it suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK’s busiest airport suffered its worst financial year in 2021, with passenger numbers deep-diving to their lowest levels in nearly 50 years.
Despite its current passenger levels being 23 per cent behind forecast, Heathrow expects to meet its target of serving 45.5 million travellers by the end of 2022.
This week Heathrow’s boss unveiled plans to increase the capacity of the airport by reopening Terminal 4 by July to cater for the expected surge in travel. The UK dropped most of its travel restrictions in February, and many countries who have yet to do so are expected to take a more relaxed approach over the coming months.
Heathrow customers’ experience as they prepare to board their flight varies drastically depending on which terminal they are flying from.
So what services are on offer at each terminal?
Terminal 1
Effectively, there is no Terminal 1. Passengers on London Underground's Piccadilly Line might notice stops for Terminals 2,3,4 and 5. That's because it closed in 2015 and is no longer in use. It wasn't even the first terminal at Heathrow. It was opened in 1968, and the previous buildings, known as Europa and Britannic combined to become Terminal 2, while Oceanic became Terminal 3.
Terminal 2
Airlines using this terminal, which was originally built in the mid-1950s include British Airways, Etihad, Egyptair, United Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa and Air Canada.
Travellers can pick up last-minute purchases from Harrods and a wide range of high-end fashion brands, such as Bulgari, Burberry, Kate Spade, Kurt Geiger, Saint Laurent, Ted Baker and Bottega Veneta.
The British chef Heston Blumenthal has a restaurant there, The Perfectionists’ Cafe, which invites guests to “dine in style”.
Travellers can also find food and beverages at Yo!, Pret A Manger, Leon and two British-themed pubs – London’s Pride and Big Smoke.
For a more upmarket experience, travellers could splash out at Caviar House & Prunier seafood bar.
Terminal 3
Domestic and international flights operate from the terminal, which serves major carriers including Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines, Qantas and China Airlines and opened in 1961.
Here, travellers can get their hands on items from designer names such as Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Gucci, Harrods, Kurt Geiger and Louis Vuitton.
Mac Cosmetics also has a store in the terminal and fine jewellery is on offer at Tiffany & Co, Watches of Switzerland and Cartier.
Jo Malone, a candle and fragrance shop popular with celebrities, also has a branch there.
For dining, travellers have the option of Pret A Manger, Wagamama or Caffe Nero, among others. For people willing to spend more, there are EL&N London, The Curator and Caviar House Oyster Bar, all of which are unique to Terminal 3 and not in any other part of the airport
Terminal 4
This terminal, which opened in 1986, has been closed to passengers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
But in December last year, Heathrow temporarily opened Terminal 4 for arrivals from red-list nations, to separate them from travellers from lower-risk countries.
People arriving from red-list nations were required to spend 11 nights quarantining in a hotel upon landing.
The stricter travel rules were ushered in after the highly transmissible Omicron Covid variant was found in Britain.
The red list was scrapped in December and Terminal 4 was once again deserted.
Heathrow has said it plans to reopen the terminal by July to help the airport cope with the expected increase in passenger numbers over the summer.
Terminal 5
This terminal opened in 2008 and is usually reserved for two airlines, British Airways and Iberia. The majority of BA's flights go from this terminal.
This terminal offers a wide range of cafes and restaurants to cater for a variety of tastes. Many of the outlets are not found in the other terminals.
British chef and TV star Gordon Ramsay has his Plane Food restaurant there, while Starbucks, Itsu and Giraffe are also unique to T5.
Fortnum & Mason Bar offers signature “in-flight picnics”, while diners at Kanishka Kitchen are served Michelin Star-quality Indian cuisine.
The terminal also features the Pilots Bar & Kitchen, a vintage-inspire brasserie which serves classic British and international dishes.
Pre-flight shopping includes big names such as Dior, Gucci, Harrods, Hermes, Kurt Geiger, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Prada, Reiss, Rituals, Fortnum & Mason, Rolex and Watches of Switzerland.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
if you go
The flights
Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com
Seeing the games
Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com
Staying there
Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Getting there
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.
The stay
Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.
Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com
The 15 players selected
Muzzamil Afridi, Rahman Gul, Rizwan Haider (Dezo Devils); Shahbaz Ahmed, Suneth Sampath (Glory Gladiators); Waqas Gohar, Jamshaid Butt, Shadab Ahamed (Ganga Fighters); Ali Abid, Ayaz Butt, Ghulam Farid, JD Mahesh Kumara (Hiranni Heros); Inam Faried, Mausif Khan, Ashok Kumar (Texas Titans
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Romelu Lukaku's goalscoring statistics in the Premier League
Season/club/appearances (substitute)/goals
2011/12 Chelsea: 8(7) - 0
2012/13 West Brom (loan): 35(15) - 17
2013/14 Chelsea: 2(2) - 0
2013/14 Everton (loan): 31(2) - 15
2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
2016/17 Everton: 37(1) - 25
