The hallways are empty, the check-in desks deserted and through the windows that look out onto the airports apron all you can see is row after row of aircraft neatly lined up as if waiting for inspection.

The usually busy South Terminal entrance

This is the reality of an airport during lockdown.

Now photos of life around the airport during this time show a very different world.

Deserted check-in desks

You arrive at a usually busy South Terminal entrance which has only two people, staff, chatting at a distance outside. Taking the quiet travelators into the terminal you walk into the huge check-in halls where even your footsteps now echo.

A quick look up at the departures board shows five flights for the whole day, of which three are now cancelled.

Train station entrance

You turn towards the arrivals hall and come up to the entrance to the train station. The once manic entrance, usually filled with queuing tourists all trying to purchase tickets is an empty shell.

But this eerily quiet world is not just contained inside.

Outside, row upon row of planes are lined up in what looks like formation. Engines covered up and not a soul to be seen.

If ever there was a vision of what the world would look like if everyone suddenly disappeared then a walk through an airport during a countrywide lockdown gives just that experience.

One could look at these photos with sadness, knowing how hard this is affecting staff and travellors everywhere. But actually we should look at them with admiration and pride. For this is a visual insight into just how great and impressive an airport and airline industry the area has.

This is a parade, a parade that will unlikely, and most importantly hopefully, never be seen again.

The lockdown will end and the airport will open once more. Jobs will return and a sense of normality will once again permeate throughout our lives, albeit different than before.

But for now these images are our world and rather than get down and depressed by it, look at them with optimism and wonder of what an amazing place is right on our doorstep.