After 54 years of service, Heathrow’s Terminal 2 will now be closing its doors for the final time this week. This announcement comes as the Terminal will be closed to make way for a £1 billion replacement.

According to reports from the airport, Terminal 2 and its neighboring Queen’s Building will be demolished. After the two buildings are taken down work will be started on a new Terminal 2 next year. As of now this Terminal is set for a 2014 opening and will serve as a new home for the Star Alliance airlines, including Lufthansa.

The brand new Terminal 2 will be more than three times the size of the current Terminal. The opening of the first phase will accommodate about 20 million passengers a year. However, this number will be raised to 30 million following the opening of an additional satellite terminal. After the second phase is complete, Terminal 1 will be closed.

The airport has noted that this is a very important moment for Heathrow. The airport is looking forward to the new Terminal 2 for many reasons. Not only is it going to offer a better experience for passengers and a new home for the Star Alliance, but it will cause less of an impact on the environment.

Right now reports suggest that the new Terminal will have a carbon footprint that is 40 percent less than the current building. This is due in part to the solar panels that will be placed on the roof, as well as the better use of natural light.