British Airways World Cargo invests £850,000 in new Border Inspection Post at London Heathrow (16/11/2007)

British Airways World Cargo has announced it will invest £850,000 to expand its Perishables Handling Centre (PHC) at London Heathrow. The new facility will add an extra 2325 square feet and will include a new Border Inspection Post (BIP) facility for non-human consumption products of animal origin.

Commencing in November 2007, construction on the PHC extension will be undertaken by Dawson Rentals and is expected to be completed by 29 February 2008, with the new BIP to open soon afterwards.

Open to all importers, forwarders, agents, airlines and transit shed operators, the design of the new BIP has been approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Like the carrier's existing BIP, it continues to be operated on behalf of BA World Cargo by Christian Salvesen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Andrew Southey, product manager BA World Cargo, commented: "The additional BIP will help speed up the inspection process, clearing consignments as quickly and safely as possible, while complying with all regulations to ensure the protection of animal health in the UK."

First opened in 1998, BA World Cargo's PHC is a fully chilled, 69,000 sq ft facility specifically designed to meet the needs of perishable cargo shippers and importers. In 2006 the facility handled over 115,000 tonnes of perishable goods including fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.