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Heathrow airport's new terminal five (T5) will open exactly one year from today, airport operator BAA and carrier British Airways have announced.

Construction on the £4.3 billion terminal complex began in 2002 and developers predict more than 90 per cent of all construction work is complete and that the project remains on time and on budget.

The next 365 days will include six months of "proving trials", set to begin in September. More than 16,000 people will be recruited to act as passengers in order to road-test systems such as check-in, baggage handling and security.

"London is a world city, a global financial centre and needs a world class airport," said Tony Douglas, chief executive of BAA Heathrow.

One of the busiest airports in the world, Heathrow predicts to see 68 million passengers fly through it this year despite the terminal facilities being designed to accommodate only 45 million.

"When T5 opens and 30 million passengers move out of existing terminals, for the first time we will have space to breath in the central terminal area," Mr Douglas added.

British Airways will be the sole occupant of T5 and describes the new facilities as a "historic breakthrough".

T5, with its large glass façade, was designed by 2006 Stirling Prize winner the Richard Rogers partnership. The state-of-the-art facilities will include shops such as Harrods, Paul Smith, and Tiffany while celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey will open his first airport-based restaurant in the building.