Demolition work has begun at London Heathrow Terminal 2 – marking the end of an aviation era.

Originally called the Europa Building, the airport’s first terminal opened in 1956 and became a backdrop to the glitterati as icons from the stage and screen passed through its doors.

The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Princess Margaret all visited during the lifetime of the terminal – while Matt Damon filmed scenes from the Bourne Ultimatum in the terminal’s arrivals hall.

It was designed by Frederick Gibberd -  also behind the Heathrow control tower, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and London Central Mosque – and cost £21 million.

At its height the 49,654 metre square terminal saw 86,824 flights and as many as eight million passengers passing through each year.

However, the original Terminal 2 closed to passengers at the end of last year, after 55 years.

Since then, it has been prepared for demolition.

New Terminal 2

Airport operator BAA has outlined plans for a £1 billion replacement at the world’s busiest international airport.

The new terminal will be home to Star Alliance airlines, with 20 million passengers passing through the modern facilities every year.

Locating one alliance at the new terminal will reduce connecting times for passengers, providing an improved, faster service and strengthening Heathrow’s competitive position.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said: “Heathrow is changing for the better, and there is much still to do. 

“Our brand new Terminal 2 will offer a better service to airlines and millions of passengers.”