LONDON, March 14: Describing it as ‘a 21st century gateway to Britain’ the Queen officially opened on Friday Heathrow Airport’s controversial Terminal 5 constructed in about 66 months at a cost of £4.3bn.

The extra-passenger capacity terminal to be operational from March 27 has been bitterly opposed since its construction began in 2002 by environmentalists who claim that it would lead to more flights and pollution.

The Queen spoke of the “bright, airy space and clean, efficient layout”, as she declared the terminal ready for business.

Sir Nigel Rudd, chairman of airports operator BAA, which has funded the terminal, said: “It will put Heathrow and BAA back where they belong — at the leading edge of global travel.”

The opening follows a security alert on Thursday after a man with a rucksack scaled the perimeter fence and ran into the path of an aircraft. The man was arrested and a controlled explosion carried out on his rucksack.