1943: Although Croydon Airport became London's primary civil aviation authority facility in the 1920s, by the time of the Second World War Heathrow was the preferred alternative. Fifty-two locations were considered before the decision was made in 1943.

1944: Work began on Heathrow's runways.

January 1946: Heathrow was transferred from military to civil control.

May 1946: The first civilian aircraft landed. There were no terminal buildings and passengers checked in at a temporary tent village on the north side of the airfield.

By the end of its first year of operation, Heathrow was serving 18 destinations, with 60,000 passengers and 2,400 tons of cargo passing through the airport. As traffic grew the tents were replaced by pre-fabricated buildings.

1951: After the Second World War, a masterplan was developed for terminals and an air traffic control tower. Construction began in 1951.

1955: Heathrow's first real terminal, the Europa Building (the current Terminal 2), opened for short-haul flights in April. The London Air Traffic Control Centre transferred from Uxbridge to the new Heathrow tower.

1968: A new short-haul building - now Terminal 1 - opened – at the time the largest airport terminal in Europe. The terminal was officially opened by the Queen on April 17, 1969.

1961 – Terminal 3 opens.

1970: Terminal 3 was expanded and an arrivals building added. Heathrow's runways were extended to about two-and-a-half miles.

The 1970s saw the airport's car parking increased and a central bus station and underground rail connection added.

1986: The new £200m Terminal 4 opens. The first passengers used the facility on April 12. Following the launch, a programme to renovate the other terminals starts.

1996: Heathrow celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Queen opened the refurbished Terminal 2 departures lounge.

1998: The £450m Heathrow Express rail link was opened connecting the airport to Paddington station.

November 2001: Following the longest public inquiry in British planning history – a total of three years and 10 months – the Government grants Terminal 5 approval.

2002: Construction work starts on Terminal 5.

2003: The last Concorde flight to carry passengers touched down at Heathrow.

June 2005: Inauguration of the Heathrow Connect rail service, a joint venture between BAA and First Great Western. The Heathrow interim masterplan – outlining proposals for future growth was launched.

June 2006: The Ferrovial Consortium took control of BAA, Heathrow's parent company.

March 2008: Terminal 5 opens.