Something I don't understand and seems to be ignored in the current plans - the future of T4. It's already a bit of an anomaly; on the south side of the airport, which causes operational issues and is mainly manned by those airlines that aren't part of an alliance club. The new train that will connect passengers from T6-T5-T2 seems to miss T4 altogether.
Looks like EZY have their eyes on a T4 operation of around 30 aircraft if R3 is given the go ahead and it seems they have the backing from HAL..
easyJet and HAL agreed that the suitability of Heathrow for easyJet’s operations would be tested against Terminal 4. easyJet toured Terminal 4 and discussed operational issues around the terminal with HAL.
easyJet indicated that they would be interested in basing between 15 and 30 aircraft at Heathrow and carry between 5 and 9 million passengers annually on around 30-55,000 Air Traffic Movements per year. This was based on easyJet’s modelling of market demand and operational business case. easyJet clarified that the exact scale of the fleet and passenger numbers would be based on a number of factors, including the economic environment at the time, opportunities in other markets and the like.
The potential to depart all easyJet home based aircraft from between 6am and 8am was assessed. HAL noted based on initial analysis that this was feasible. easyJet believed this aligned well with predominantly foreign based carriers that arrive early morning in Terminal 4 (leaving stands available after easyJet’s early morning departures) and depart in the evening (thereby freeing up stands for easyJet to park overnight).
Stands
The number of stands available at Terminal 4 and any potential fit for an easyJet operation was assessed. HAL confirmed that Terminal 4 has 35 stands today. easyJet believes this is sufficient for its scale of future operation. Heathrow noted that it would provide stands for as many aircraft as possible based on all airlines’ requirements and not on preference alone as consistent with the stand allocation process today. Heathrow also noted that its aim is for stands to be utilised in the most efficient manner possible.
HAL also noted that the stands in Terminal 4 are, or could be converted to, MARS stands that can accommodate easyJet’s narrow body fleet (Code C) as well as the wide body fleet of foreign based carriers that could also operate out of Terminal 4.
Walk-in-walk-out
easyJet assessed the extent to which Terminal 4 is suitable for walk-in-walk-out operations. HAL believed that easyJet could physically use Terminal 4’s existing facility for walk-in-walk-out operations, allowing boarding of aircraft using both front and back doors.
http://corporate.easyjet.com/~/media...on-jan2015.pdf