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The state-of-the-art Terminal 5 at London Heathrow has opened for business today (27 March), with the first British Airways flight, from Hong Kong, bringing 283 passengers into the new terminal at 04:50 in the morning.

A service to Paris Charles de Gaulle was the first departure from the new facility, taking off at 06:20 and carrying 150 people.

More than 40,000 travellers are expected to pass through the £4.3bn terminal on its first day of business, on 30 long-haul services and 350 short-haul and domestic flights.

BA customers who use Terminal 5 today will be given free gifts to mark the occasion, which will range from luggage tags and keyrings to commemorative certificates and postcards.

Onboard, passengers will receive themed T5 chocolates and some flights will offer special catering to celebrate the opening of the facility.

Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, said: 'This is an historic day for British Airways and for UK aviation. Everyone involved in the project should be extremely proud of their achievements in creating this fantastic facility.

'The new terminal gives British Airways a great opportunity to offer the highest levels of service and put Heathrow back on the global travel map.'

The flag-carrying airline had to move more than 1,000 pieces of equipment and hardware in the final hours before the opening of Terminal 5, including 27 short-haul planes, 360 baggage trailers, 240 cargo containers and 22 sets of aircraft steps.

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