A new £40 million international aircraft pier will start taking shape at Birmingham International Airport next year, it was revealed today.
The three-level pier will be the first stage of a long-term £1 billion-plus investment which includes a £120 million runway extension which could be up and running by 2011 - in time for the London Olympics.
The 400-metre extension will mean West Midlanders will be able to fly direct to countries around the globe, with the first destinations likely to be Los Angeles and Orlando.
Changes to the draft airport masterplan were unveiled by acting managing director Joe Kelly, who said the application for the runway extension would be submitted to planners before the end of this year and that if was successful work would start by spring 2009.
And there could be direct services to China well before 2030, the period covered by the plan.
Revised forecasts of just over 27 million passengers using BIA within the next 23 years mean less land will be needed for development, which also means a proposed second runway will certainly not see the light of day for decades - if at all.
But a third passenger terminal will be built, with the first phase planned for around 2018 when the airport will be handling around 17 million passengers a year
The masterplan also envisages: the development of commercial and operational facilities at the Elmdon Terminal site, to include a dedicated engine ground running facility; long-term improvements to M42 Junction 6, but no dedicated junction on the M42 for the airport; new facilities so that 35 per cent of passengers use public transport, including a Metro extension from Birmingham city centre.
Mr Kelly said: “Although the detail of the airport’s new master plan will be kept under review, the increasing importance of Birmingham International Airport to the region is evident.
“It enables businesses to access markets and people to access holidays and visit friends and relatives - in Europe and the rest of the world.
“The airport is important to the region’s economy and it is one of the largest providers of employment in the West Midlands region, supporting some 10,500 full time equivalent jobs in 2006.”
By Business Editor Jim Walsh
10 Comments
It’s about time something was done at this airport. We are suppose to be the second city, but with what we’ve got is a third rate airport,I’m sorry about all the people that it will disturb, but the airport was there before 90% of them and the econmy of the city needs this extention, lets start to regain our reputation in the country again
BHX will become a 2nd rate airport with no 2nd runway.
the goverment has never wanted birmingham as the second city.people can dress this up as much as they want but with what is going to happen in years to come,all major city’s will have at the very least two runway’s.from a business point of view we will get left behind.it’s a disaster for birmingham & the west midlands
It’s little wonder more and more midlanders are using East Midlands and Coventry.
Planners seem determined to hold Birmingham back in the world of commerce.
Birmingham needs to start acting like an airport before it has any more fanciful ideas. There appears to be problems with slovenly staff, dirty floors, litter-strewn bins that have not been emptied and a check-in area that is an absolute sham. If you want to see how an airport is run, visit Europe not this one. Oh, and don’t even think of having the nerve to park here ‘and’ not expect to be ripped off..this is the worst UK airport I have ever been to and I very much doubt that is going to change soon..
Hey Kelly, last time I used your airport you kept us waiting 50 mins whilst your staff hung around for trolleys. This was at off-peak times. Staff penned us in like sheep, were rude, agressive, stroppy with the luggage..and the place looked like it hadn’t see bleach in years. We could not even get to the car without constant aggrovation - this airport is like the whole region: living in the dark ages and the worst thing about coming back is hearing it’s name on the tannoy as we wait in the slow lane..
Great news, but why use a British Airways photograph, when after all they have no connection with Birmingham International Airport, since selling the routs to Flybe.
What a bunch of whingers below, I make quite a number of trips every year from Birmingham and it compares very favourably with other Airports I fly in to. The stupid comments about second rate without a second runway is pathetic and the ridiculous thing about the government and Birmingham well. I say good for Birmingham.
Contrary to a lot of reports - the 2nd runway has not been ‘dropped’, it was never going to be in the first trache of proposals - only the runway extension, new pier and terminal three were near to short term projects. The 2nd runway will likely happen, but not before 2030, unless there are some drastic changes in the use of air travel. I’d refer to this - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=311287 - for a more balanced appraisal of future developments at the airport.
This airport has been run so badly to the point that they have less passengers now than 12 months ago. The Terminals are a disgrace. the luggage waiting time unbelievable. I live within 5 mins of the airport and support its expansion but I wish we could get it run to full capacity first. As for the taxis and parking now dont get me started on that one!!