Virgin opens 'Heathrow Terminal 6'

Virgin Atlantic has opened a new passenger facility at Heathrow Airport, which it dubbed 'Terminal Six' and claimed will offer a "fast and efficient" service.

The airline said the terminal, which was opened by the Spice Girls, is open for business immediately and boasted that the launch took place months before British Airways' transfer of its flights to Terminal Five.

According to Virgin Atlantic, the new facility will benefit people planning to use airport parking services, as it will be quicker to reach from central London by car than Terminal Five.

Passengers are also promised short journeys between check-in and security and a "seamless and simple" transition through the airport.

Sir Richard Branson, president of the airline, said: "We've been secretly working on our plans for Terminal Six for two years and are delighted that we can now show other airlines how check-in should be."

He added: "Today's opening signals the rebirth of Heathrow Airport - and it's happening months before BA switch their flights to the giant Terminal Five."

The airline's new terminal is expected to handle over 60,000 passengers a week and around three million people in the next year.