Demolition of Heathrow Airport’s oldest building started today as part of a refurbishment which will increase the capacity of Terminal 2 from eight million passengers per year to 20 million in 2013.

The Queen's Building, which opened in 1955, will be knocked down by Expanded Demolition before January 2010 when demolition of the rest of the terminal will begin. The new Terminal 2 will be home to Star Alliance airlines and will produce 40% less carbon than buildings it is replacing.

BAA Executive Chairman, Sir Nigel Rudd, who sounded a fog horn to signal the official start of work, said: “The Queen's Building has long sat at the heart of Heathrow, but the past must make way for the future, as we prepare to construct a new home for the Star Alliance member airlines serving Heathrow.

Steven Morgan, BAA Capital Director, said: “This is an exciting project, not only for the engineers and builders, but also for our airlines and passengers. The challenges are not to be underestimated. We are constructing a significant new building in the middle of one of the world's busiest airports, and ensuring the operating airport is not affected is an absolute priority.”

Laing O’Rourke is delivering the project as part of the HETCo joint venture with Ferrovial Agroman.