Flash mob invasion of T5

Up to 1,000 protesters are expected to flood Heathrow's Terminal 5 when it opens to the public on Wednesday.

The anti-climate change activists, buoyed in recent weeks by high-profile demonstrations at the airport and at Westminster, are preparing to invade the £4billion building.

The flash mob protest will take place at 11am with activists revealing T-shirts proclaiming: "Stop Airport Expansion."

Campaigners have vowed the mass demonstration will be peaceful and not disrupt flights.

Security sources fear the protesters will join queues for flights or block escalators, causing mayhem.

Police chiefs have met to discuss the security implications and the number of officers is expected to be increased.

A Metropolitan police spokesman said: "We are working closely with airport authorities to put in place a suitable policing plan for the commercial opening of Terminal 5.

"We would strongly advise anyone planning any action that they are compliant with the law. Protest activity within the airport is illegal and draws police resources away from their primary-function of protecting the airport. Such behaviour can be at the least disruptive to the travelling public and intimidating for staff and the public.

"We will have a robust policing plan in place on the day so that anyone breaking the law is dealt with."

A spokesman for airport operator BAA said: "We welcome the ( environmental) debate - it is an important one to be had. But the protests tomorrow are not the appropriate forum in which to hold the debate. We will take whatever-action is necessary to protect the safety and security of the airport and our passengers. We hope that protesters will respect that and respect the right of people to fly."

Campaigners say about 800 T-shirts have been handed out and as many as 1,000 people are expected for the protest.

They claim interest has intensified following the stunts last month on a plane's tailfin and on the roof of the palace of Westminster. At a secret meeting near Russell Square Tube station on Monday, final details of tomorrow's protest were agreed. To avoid breaking conspiracy laws, protesters will arrive singly at the terminal, find fellow activists and begin "spontaneous" actions.

In a note circulated to protesters this week, organisers Plane Stupid said: "The airport opens to the public this Thursday, so if you've nothing to do (or feel like taking a sickie) come to the T5 Flash Mob. Get a 'stop airport expansion' T-shirt ... when the clock strikes 11am, whip your jacket off and let everyone know you what you think. Wearing a T-shirt in public isn't a crime - it's about the only thing you can do in the Terminal that's not illegal!"

A spokesman for the flash mob said: "The protest will be legal and peaceful. It will be calling for a freeze on airport expansion." Another source said: "The aim is basically to make complete and utter nuisances of themselves."

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT T5

The opening day

The first passengers to arrive will be on flight BA026 from Hong Kong, touching down at 4.50am. All 350 aboard the Boeing 747 secured their seats months ago, paying up to £6,000 each. The captain will be Lynn Barton, 51, who became BA's first female pilot in 1987. The first outbound flight departs for Paris at 6.20am — the Airbus A320 will carry 150 passengers. Another 380 flights will use the terminal on the first day.

Baggage

The baggage handling system is being touted as one of the most advanced in the world. BA claims its 11 luggage reclaim belts can process 12,000 bags per hour. The system uses 18km of conveyer belts, "intelligent" baggage carts running on rails and a robotic hoist. BA says bags should reach any gate in 15 minutes and will be moved around at speeds of up to 30mph. Wireless barcode scanning will track where each bag is, from the moment it enters the system to when it leaves. Staff will use handheld gadgets to pinpoint where individual bags are.

Check-in and gates

BA claims check-in will take less than than five minutes and the "vast majority" of passengers will not have to queue. There are 96 self-service check-in kiosks and
140 customer service desks, including 96 fast bag-drop facilities. Gates are no more than six minutes' walk from security.

Shopping

Terminal 5 will provide arguably the most extensive range of high-end shops of any airport in Europe. Only a handful of world hubs, such as Hong Kong International and Changi in Singapore, will rival it. Harrods has three sites, an 11,000 sq ft travel shop and two smaller outlets selling food and gifts. Fortnum & Mason will have a 1,500 sq ft concession in the duty free shop — its attractions will include a £5,000 hamper aimed at the homesick and expatriates who want to take a taste of Britain with them when they leave. In total, the terminal will have 112 retail outlets, including Prada, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Cartier, Paul Smith and Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food.

The environment

Green activists argue the site is a "Trojan horse" for further development, including a third runway and sixth terminal. There is also concern that T5 will handle short-haul flights to places such as Manchester, Newcastle and Scottish airports — journeys that could be made by train. BA says the terminal has been built to be as green as possible. It was designed to maximise use of natural light — cutting power use — while rainwater from the roof is to be recycled and drinking water pumped from a local borehole. Excess energy from a power unit will be piped under the building, supplying up to
85 per cent of heating needs and cutting carbon emissions by 11,000 tonnes a year.

Magic numbers

The building cost £4.3 billion and will handle more than 80,000 passengers a day — 30million a year. The terminal can hold 50 football pitches on its five floors and is five times the size of Terminal 4. More than 30,000 square metres of glass have been used in the main building, which is 40m high and 396m long. Airport owner BAA submitted its first planning application for the site 15 years ago.