International Airport
Independent Travel Awards 2015 - your chance to nominate
![Heathrow Terminal 2](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/08/14/15/Departure_hall_entrance,_London_Heathrow_Terminal_2,_UK_-_20150621.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
On the ground, Heathrow Terminal One - which closed nearly half a century after it opened - will be little mourned. The new Terminal 2 of Europe’s biggest airport opened on schedule (with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales aboard the first departure) in June 2014.
Staying in the capital, Southend was acknowledged to be an important component in the London airport system by the Airports Commission, and for short-haul hops to destinations such as Amsterdam and Geneva it is delivering a refreshingly simple and stress-free experience - with the added bonus of faster flight times due to its advantageous geographical location, making it quicker and cheaper than Stansted, Luton or Gatwick.
Sadly, another leading British seaside resort lost its airport in 2015; Blackpool closed down in the face of intense competition from Liverpool and Manchester.
In the continuing absence of Berlin’s long-delayed Brandenburg airport opening (originally scheduled for 2012), the overseas search for the best airport largely focuses on the traditional favourites: Singapore Changi, Amsterdam Schiphol and Hong Kong.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments