Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre

Located close to Heathrow Airport, the HWDC is situated in the town of Langley, Berkshire, near Slough, and began operations in 2003.

[citation needed] The centre is often referred to by its abbreviation, Langley HWDC, or as 'GBLALA' in mail tracking information.

HWDC is one of the most automated postal centres in Europe, and the site covers 100,000 square metres (25 acres) (10 hectares).

The conveyors read the bar code labels on the trays and then transport them to the desired destination.

[citation needed] Mail which is departing by air transport is often conveyed in unit load devices, unique to airlines and/or fuselage shapes.