Wikipedia

Birmingham Airport

(Redirected from Birmingham Airport, West Midlands)
This article is about the airport in England. For the US airport, see Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport.

Birmingham Airport (IATA: BHX, ICAO: EGBB), formerly Birmingham International Airport,[5] is an international airport located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, 9.5 nautical miles (17.6 km; 10.9 mi) west-northwest of Coventry slightly north of Bickenhill village, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England.[6]

Birmingham Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSeven metropolitan boroughs of West Midlands county (49%), the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (48.25%) and employees (2.75%)[1]
OperatorBirmingham Airport Ltd
ServesWest Midlands conurbation, City of Coventry, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire
LocationBickenhill, England, United Kingdom
Operating base for
Elevation AMSL341 ft / 104 m
Coordinates52°27′14″N 001°44′53″W / 52.45389°N 1.74806°W / 52.45389; -1.74806
Websitewww.birminghamairport.co.uk
Map
BHX/EGBB is located in West Midlands county
BHX/EGBB
BHX/EGBB
Location in the West Midlands
BHX/EGBB is located in the United Kingdom
BHX/EGBB
BHX/EGBB
BHX/EGBB (the United Kingdom)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
15/33 3,052 10,013 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers11,479,335 [2]
Passenger change 22-23Increase120%[2]
Sources: UK AIP at NATS[3]
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[4]
The airport site, as it was around 1921
British Airways and British Caledonian aircraft at the old terminal in 1978
The Maglev rapid transport system, which operated from 1984 to 1995, was the first commercial maglev system in the world.

Officially opened as Elmdon Airport on 8 July 1939, the airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry during the Second World War and used by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy as RAF Elmdon. It was largely used for flight training and wartime production purposes. On 8 July 1946, the aerodrome was reopened to civilian operations.

Birmingham Airport currently holds a CAA Public Use Aerodrome Licence (Number P451) that allows flights for the public transport of passengers or for flying instruction. Passenger throughput in 2017 was over 12.9 million, making Birmingham the seventh busiest airport in the UK.[4][7] The airport offers international flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Birmingham Airport is an operating base for easyJet,[8] Jet2.com, Ryanair and TUI Airways.

Location

edit

Birmingham Airport is 7 NM (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-south-east of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. It is bordered by the National Exhibition Centre to the east, Marston Green to the north, Sheldon to the west, the village of Bickenhill to the south, and the village of Elmdon to the south west.

It is primarily served by the A45 main road, and is near Junction 6 of the M42 motorway. It is connected by the elevated Air-Rail Link with Birmingham International railway station on the West Coast Main Line.

The airport's location southeast of the city, plus the only operational runway being northwest–southeast (15/33), means that depending on wind direction, aircraft land or take-off directly over Birmingham. The former northeast–southwest runway (06/24) has been incorporated into a taxiway for aircraft accessing runway 15/33.

History

edit

Construction and opening

edit

In 1928, Birmingham City Council decided that the city required a municipal airport; thus soon thereafter a committee was established to work towards establishing such a facility.[9] By 1931, several locations, including Shirley, Elmdon and Aldridge, were reportedly under consideration as potential sites. While Elmdon was considered to be an impressive and appropriate site for the airport, further progress was delayed due to spending cutbacks that had been initiated as a consequence of the Great Depression.[9] By 1933, the project was revived and a new airport committee was formed during the following year to oversee the airport's establishment. Prior to any major construction decisions being taken, members of the committee visited various successful airports around Europe in 1935, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Lyon, Paris, Brussels and London.[9]

During January 1935, the airport committee approached British architectural and engineering practice Norman and Dawbarn, inviting their attendance and seeking their participation as expert advisers on the airport's construction, the practice was subsequently appointed as the project's architects.[9] In 1933, Birmingham City Council authorised the compulsory purchase of 300 acres of land for the use by the airport; another 214 acres were similarly acquired during the following year. During 1936, a private bill presented by the Birmingham Corporation was passed through Parliament, which authorised the acquisition of further land as well as the diversion of various roads and footpaths to permit the airport's development. Shortly following the bill's passing, various agencies, including the City Engineer and Surveyor, the Public Works Department and a firm of aeronautical consultants, including Norman and Dawbarn, commenced work on preparing the ground, designing both the terminal and hangar buildings, and planning out the airport's detailed layout.[9]

By January 1937, Norman and Dawbarn had been authorised to finalise the design drawings; these were apparently completed by June 1937.[9] In October of that year, various contractors were appointed to construct various elements of the airport's buildings, including its elaborate terminal. Reportedly, the project's total expenditure amounted to around £360,000.[9] Construction work proceeded at a rapid pace; on 1 May 1939, the airport had been completed to such a degree that it was ready to handle traffic.[9]

On 8 July 1939, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, accompanied by the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, officiated at the opening of Elmdon Airport.[10] Its terminal, which incorporated the airport's air traffic control tower, was designed by Norman and Dawbarn in an Art Deco style; this facility would continue to be used as a terminal until 1984 and subsequently as staff offices and for private flights; it is still intact as of 2023.[11][9] The airport was owned and operated by Birmingham City Council. Initial services flew to Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, Ryde, Shoreham, Manchester, and Southampton; further services were added soon thereafter, although its use as a civilian airport would soon be interrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War.[9]

Second World War

edit

During the Second World War, Elmdon Airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and was used by both the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy as RAF Elmdon. It was largely operated as an Elementary Flying School and a base for the Fleet Air Arm.[9] It was during this era that the original grass airstrip was replaced by two hard runways: 06/24 at 2,469 feet (753 m) and 15/33 at 4,170 feet (1,271 m).[12] Large numbers of Avro Lancaster and Stirling bombers were manufactured at the Austin Aero Company's shadow factory at Cofton Hackett, but were unable to take off from the short runways at Longbridge; thus, they were transported by road to RAF Elmdon, their wings being removed beforehand and re-attached after arrival. They were test flown from the aerodrome and, once declared airworthy, they were flown to their operational units. On 8 July 1946, the aerodrome was reopened to civilian operations, though it remained under government control.[9][12]

1950 to 1980

edit

During the post-war years, a number of public events, such as air fairs and air races, were held on the site. In 1949, scheduled services began with British European Airways (BEA) launching routes to Paris; the number of flights to the continent steadily grew over the years, including services to Zürich, Düsseldorf, Palma, Amsterdam and Barcelona commencing between 1955 and 1960. During 1960, the City of Birmingham resumed responsibility for the airport's operation again, ending central government control.[12]

In 1961, an additional terminal building to handle the growing international traffic was opened, which was fittingly called The International Building.[12] Furthermore, work to extend the airport's main runway to 7,400 feet (1.4 miles) was undertaken between 1967 and 1970, which permitted the launch of new services using turboprop and jet-powered airliners. Accordingly, a new service to New York using VC-10 airliner was launched during 1967.[12] By the early 1970s, Birmingham Airport was reportedly handling around one million passengers per year, albeit through a relatively congested passenger terminal. In 1974, the newly formed West Midlands Metropolitan County Council took over management of the airport.[12]

On 16 September 1980, the supersonic airliner Concorde made its first visit to Birmingham Airport.[13] On 20 October 2003, Concorde made its final visit to the airport as part of its farewell tour.[14]

1981 to 2000

edit

Birmingham Airport was once home to the world's first commercial maglev system in the form of a low-speed maglev shuttle that ran along a 620-metre line between the terminal and the nearby Birmingham International railway station.[15] Following a year of testing and trial use, the Birmingham Airport Maglev was opened to great fanfare during April 1984.[16] However, during 1995, the Maglev rail link was discontinued after 11 years; the closure has been attributed to the system's unreliability, it having suffered from frequent breakdowns. The original guideway lay dormant but intact for a time, while proposals for its restoration or adaption for other uses were considered.[17] In 2003, a replacement cable-hauled system, the Air-Rail Link Cable Liner people mover, was opened, which reused the track and much of the existing infrastructure.[18][19]

During 1993, the government limited public sector borrowing came into force and was applied to Birmingham Airport. This change meant that the airport could only expand by using private sector finance. 51% of the local council shares were sold to restructure the airport into a private sector company; this initiative led to the commencement of a £260 million restructuring programme in 1997.[citation needed]

2000s

edit

During November 2007, Birmingham Airport published a master plan for its development up to 2030, called "Towards 2030: Planning a Sustainable Future for Air Transport in the Midlands".[20] This set out details of changes to the terminals, airfield layout and off-site infrastructure. As with all large scale plans, the proposals were controversial, with opposition from environmentalists and local residents. In particular, the requirement for a second parallel runway based on projected demand was disputed by opponents. Plans for a second runway (a third when demand requires) on the other side of the M42 and a new terminal complex and business park have been published, and they could help to create around 250,000 jobs. It has been estimated that if these plans went ahead, the airport could handle around 70,000,000 passengers annually, and around 500,000 aircraft movements.[21]

In January 2008, the shorter runway (06/24) was decommissioned. It had been used less often due to its short length, noise impact, and its inconvenient position crossing the main runway, making it uneconomic to continue operation. The closure also allowed for apron expansion on both sides of the main runway. However, runway 06/24 remains open as a taxiway and a helicopter airstrip.[22] In the same month, plans for the extension of the airport runway and the construction of a new air traffic control tower were submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

In June 2008, work began on building the new three-storey International Pier; it was officially opened on 9 September 2009. As part of the airport's 70th anniversary, the airport welcomed the Airbus A380 as the first user of the pier. The special service was the first commercial A380 flight in the UK outside London Heathrow Airport. The new pier is 240 metres long and 24 metres wide. Departing passengers are accommodated on the top level, with arriving passengers on the middle level and office accommodation for airline and handling agents on the ground floor. The new facility provides air-bridged aircraft parking for seven wide-bodied aircraft and enough space for 13 smaller aircraft. It can accommodate 'next generation' environmentally-efficient wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus A340-600, the Airbus A380, the Boeing 747-8, and the Boeing 777X. The new pier also has a new lounge for business class Emirates passengers.[23] In March 2009, the runway extension plans were approved.[24]

2010s

edit
 
Main check-in hall in Terminal 1
 
Departure lounge area

In September 2010, it was announced that after the merging of Terminals 1 and 2 into a single facility in 2011, the airport would drop the "International" from its official name to become "Birmingham Airport'".[25] A Midlands-based marketing agency was recruited to "create a new corporate identity that reflects Birmingham Airport's current position in the market place, as well as its future potential". Figures from Birmingham Airport show that 8 million people live within a one hour's drive of the airport, but less than 40% of them use it. It is hoped that the rebrand will make the airport "more visible to the market".[26] In November 2010, the new name started to be used.[27] The new logo, interlocking circles in shades of blue, and slogan, "Hello World", were designed to reflect the airport's new positioning as a global travel hub.[28]

In January 2011 the viewing gallery, 'Aviation Experience And Gift Shop', closed indefinitely.[29] In the same month, the airport merged its two terminals into a single terminal building, which involved the construction of two additional floors. A new lower ground floor accommodates the new Arrivals and Meet & Greet area, while the 3rd floor was built in the Millennium Link and the two terminals to accommodate the new Centralised Security Search area. In July 2011, construction of a new control tower began.[30] The new control tower was completed in March 2012; it replaced the airport's original tower, which had been used since the airport opened in 1939.

On 23 February 2011, Birmingham Airport announced that the High Speed 2 railway could be a solution to runway capacity problems in London; management figures suggested that it would be quicker to get to London from Birmingham than from Stansted Airport once completed, and claimed that the airport had capacity for nine million more passengers.[31]

Plans for the extension of the airport's runway, and the construction of the new air traffic control tower, were submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in January 2008, and approved in March 2009.[24] Originally, the target for completion was in time for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. An Olympic ceremony was held at the airport on 23 April 2012. The Olympic rings were unveiled on the tower and could be seen from the A45 road and the main terminal building. This was to commemorate the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. These rings were removed once the Olympic Games officially closed, just before the 2012 Summer Paralympics began. Work on the new runway eventually began in autumn 2012.[32][33] The extension to the southern end of the runway originally required the A45 Coventry Road to be diverted into a tunnel under the extended section, but to cut costs, it was diverted south of the runway instead.[34] In Summer 2013 the new air traffic control tower became fully operational;[30] the old carriageway of the A45 was closed and the new carriageway was opened.[35][36] In May 2014, the 400-metre runway extension was officially opened;[32] the full length was first used on 22 July 2014, when China Southern Airlines operated its first charter between Birmingham and Beijing.[32]

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, a Canadian institutional investor, increased its stake in the airport to 48.25% in early 2015. It also owns 100% of Bristol Airport.[37] Birmingham handled over 11.6 million passengers in 2016, a record total for the airport, making it the seventh busiest UK airport.[4]

On 28 September 2016, £100 million of investment was allocated to a new baggage handling system and two new car parks, including a drop-off car park.[38]

Since 2020

edit

British regional airline Flybe operated an extensive route network from Birmingham to destinations within the United Kingdom and mainland Europe until it entered administration on 4 March 2020, and has since resumed operations using the airport as its headquarters and main base of operations.[4][39][40] In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary mortuary was established in a hangar at the airport, with space for 12,000 bodies.[41][42]

On 13 January 2023, Emirates announced that they will return to flying the iconic Airbus A380 on their daily flights to Birmingham Airport from 1 July 2023.[43] Previously, Emirates had used the Airbus A380 on their flights to Birmingham since 2016, however they resumed using the Boeing 777 during the COVID-19 pandemic due to less demand.

In January 2023, regional airline Flybe, successor to the aforementioned airline of the same name, which maintained its main base in Birmingham, entered administration and ceased all operations.[44]

Terminals

edit

Birmingham Airport's current terminal complex combines the two old terminals via the Millennium Link in to one large terminal, with gates 1–20 in the old Terminal 2, and all other gates in the old Terminal 1. All check in desks and arrivals are on the ground floor. The central security area, along with airside shops and restaurants are located on the first floor.[citation needed]

Terminal 1 was opened on 3 April 1984, seventeen years after the original plans to construct a new terminal to ease congestion in the original Elmdon Terminal (Grade II listed since August 2018 and used for private and official flights).[45][46] Since then, T1 has been extended multiple times to accommodate the increase in both passenger numbers and aircraft movements.

Airlines and destinations

edit

Passenger

edit

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter services to and from Birmingham:[47]

AirlinesDestinations
Aer Lingus Belfast–City, Dublin
Air France Paris–Charles de Gaulle[48]
Air India Amritsar,[49] Delhi
Aurigny Guernsey
Blue Islands Seasonal: Jersey[50]
Brussels Airlines Seasonal: Brussels[51]
Corendon Airlines Seasonal: Antalya, Dalaman
easyJet Alicante, Amsterdam, Antalya, Barcelona, Belfast–International, Berlin, Edinburgh, Enfidha, Fuerteventura, Geneva, Glasgow, Gran Canaria (begins 2 May 2025),[52] Jersey, Lisbon, Málaga, Malta (begins 3 June 2025),[52] Marrakesh (begins 1 December 2024),[53] Milan–Malpensa, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Prague,[54] Sharm El Sheikh, Tenerife–South
Seasonal: Corfu, Dalaman, Faro, Heraklion, Hurghada,[55] Innsbruck (begins 15 December 2024),[53] Kraków,[56] Kos, Larnaca, Palma de Mallorca, Reykjavík–Keflavík (begins 3 December 2024),[53] Rhodes, Rovaniemi[57][58]
Emirates Dubai–International
Eurowings Düsseldorf, Prague
Jet2.com Agadir,[59] Alicante, Antalya, Athens, Barcelona, Budapest, Faro, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Kraków, Lanzarote, Málaga, Malta, Marrakesh,[59] Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Prague, Rome–Fiumicino,[60] Tenerife–South, Venice[60]
Seasonal: Almería,[61] Bergen (begins 18 April 2025),[62] Bodrum, Burgas,[60] Catania, Chambéry, Chania, Cologne/Bonn,[63] Corfu, Dalaman, Dubrovnik, Gdańsk (begins 29 November 2024),[64] Geneva, Girona, Grenoble, Heraklion, Ibiza,[60] Innsbruck, İzmir, Jerez de la Frontera (begins 2 May 2025),[65] Kalamata, Kefalonia, Kos, Larnaca, Menorca, Mytilene,[66] Naples, Nice, Olbia, Pisa, Porto (begins 27 March 2025),[67] Preveza/Lefkada, Pula (begins 2 May 2025),[67] Reus,[60] Reykjavík–Keflavík, Rhodes, Salerno (begins 26 May 2025),[68] Salzburg, Santorini, Skiathos, Split, Thessaloniki, Tivat,[69] Turin, Verona, Vienna, Zakynthos[60]
KLM Amsterdam[70]
Loganair Aberdeen,[71] Isle of Man[71]
Lufthansa Frankfurt, Munich
Pegasus Airlines Istanbul–Sabiha Gökçen[72]
Qatar Airways Doha[73]
Ryanair[74][75] Agadir,[76] Alicante, Barcelona, Beauvais,[77] Bergamo, Berlin,[78] Bucharest–Otopeni, Budapest,[79] Bydgoszcz, Cork, Derry,[80] Dublin, Faro, Fuerteventura, Girona, Gran Canaria, Knock, Kraków, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Łódź,[81] Madrid, Málaga, Malta, Marrakesh,[76] Murcia, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos,[78] Pisa, Porto,[82] Poznań, Santander, Seville,[83] Shannon, Sofia, Tenerife–South, Treviso,[84] Valencia,[83] Verona, Warsaw–Modlin
Seasonal: Chania,[77] Corfu, Grenoble, Ibiza, Perpignan, Plovdiv,[84] Reus, Rhodes, Stockholm–Arlanda,[85] Tirana,[86] Toulouse,[85] Turin, Zadar
Saudia Jeddah[87]
Scandinavian Airlines Copenhagen
SunExpress Antalya
Seasonal: Dalaman, İzmir[88]
Swiss International Air Lines Zurich[89]
TUI Airways Agadir, Boa Vista, Cancún, Enfidha, Fuerteventura, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Hurghada, Lanzarote, Málaga, Marrakesh, Montego Bay, Sal, Sharm El Sheikh, Tenerife–South
Seasonal: Alicante, Antalya, Barbados,[90] Burgas, Chambéry, Chania, Corfu, Dalaman, Dubrovnik, Faro, Girona, Heraklion, Ibiza, Innsbruck, İzmir, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kittilä, Kos, Kuusamo,[91] Larnaca, La Romana (begins 24 December 2024),[92] Melbourne/Orlando, Menorca, Naples, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Pula, Punta Cana, Reus, Rhodes, Rovaniemi, Salzburg, Santorini, Skiathos, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Toulouse, Turin, Verona, Zakynthos
Turkish Airlines Istanbul
Vueling Barcelona
Wizz Air Bucharest–Otopeni, Budapest, Craiova

Cargo

edit
AirlinesDestinations
Hong Kong Air Cargo Hong Kong[93]
Lufthansa Cargo Dublin, Frankfurt[94]
Maersk Air Cargo Billund[95]

Statistics

edit

Passenger figures

edit
Birmingham Airport Passenger Totals. See Wikidata query.

Annual statistics

edit
Passengers[96] Movements[97]
1997 6,025,485 79,880
1998 6,709,086 88,332
1999 7,013,913 98,749
2000 7,596,893 108,972
2001 7,808,562 111,008
2002 8,027,730 112,284
2003 9,079,172 116,040
2004 8,862,388 109,202
2005 9,381,425 112,963
2006 9,147,384 108,658
2007 9,226,340 114,679
2008 9,627,589 112,227
2009 9,102,899 101,221
2010 8,572,398 95,454
2011 8,616,296 93,145
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority[4]
 
Passengers[96] Movements[97]
2012 8,922,539 92,632
2013 9,120,201 95,713
2014 9,705,955 97,346
2015 10,187,122 98,015
2016 11,645,334 113,184
2017 12,983,436 122,067
2018 12,457,051 104,492
2019 12,650,607 109,357
2020 2,869,582 35,647
2021 2,476,584 35,411
2022 9,597,485 71,152
2023 11,479,335 82,233
Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority[4]

Busiest routes

edit
Busiest routes to and from Birmingham (2023)[4]
Rank Airport Passengers
handled		 % change
2022/23
1 Dublin 803,506   19.4%
2 Dubai–International 591,856   23.0%
3 Amsterdam 516,848   19.8%
4 Palma de Mallorca 401,369   12.2%
5 Tenerife–South 387,997   11.2%
6 Belfast–International 350,308   10.7%
7 Alicante 343,218   3.9%
8 Málaga 304,500   3.6%
9 Antalya 281,322   10.6%
10 Faro 268,332   5.5%

Accidents and incidents

edit
  • 19 January 1973 (1973-01-19): A Vickers Viscount passenger aircraft G-AZLR inbound from Leeds Bradford Airport suffered a severe port undercarriage failure upon landing.[98]
  • 29 November 1975 (1975-11-29): A Beechcraft Baron G-AZUJ was landing in heavy fog and crashed while overshooting on its third attempt to land. All four on board died in the crash.[99]
  • 4 January 2002 (2002-01-04): A Bombardier Challenger CL-600 N90AG crashed shortly after takeoff due to airframe icing, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants.[100]
  • 23 February 2006 (2006-02-23): Mahan Air Airbus A310 operating a flight from Tehran, Iran, was involved in a serious incident while on approach to Birmingham International Airport. The aircraft descended to the published minimum descent altitude of 740 ft despite still being 11 nm from the runway threshold. At a point 6 nm from the runway the aircraft had descended to an altitude of 660 ft, which was 164 ft above ground level. Having noticed the descent profile, Birmingham air traffic control issued an immediate climb instruction to the aircraft, however, the crew had already commenced a missed approach, having received a GPWS alert. The aircraft was radar vectored for a second approach during which the flight crew again initiated an early descent. On this occasion, the radar controller instructed the crew to maintain their altitude and the crew successfully completed the approach to a safe landing. The accident investigation determined that the primary cause was use of the incorrect DME for the approach, combined with a substantial breakdown in the Crew Resource Management. Three safety recommendations were made.[101]
  • 15 June 2006 (2006-06-15): A TNT Airways cargo 737-300 made an emergency landing at Birmingham with damaged landing gear.[102] The aircraft, registration OO-TND, had been flying from Liège in Belgium to London–Stansted. Due to poor visibility at Stansted the flight diverted to East Midlands Airport. As the weather at East Midlands was also poor, the aircraft performed a full autopilot approach. During this approach the autopilot momentarily disengaged causing it to deviate from the course. The aircraft hit the grass to the side of the runway, which caused the right main gear to detach. The crew initiated a go-around, declared an emergency and diverted to Birmingham. After it landed on Birmingham's main runway, the airport was closed for a number of hours. The pilots were unharmed.[103] However, the company ascribed the incident to human error and both pilots were dismissed.[104] The official report into the accident highlighted a number of factors contributing to the accident: poor weather forecast information; a message passed from the air traffic control to the aircraft at an "inappropriate" time; the pilot accidentally disconnecting the autopilot when attempting to respond to the message; the pilot losing situational awareness and failing to abort the landing.[105][106]
  • 19 November 2010 (2010-11-19): A Cessna Citation aircraft, registration G-VUEM, arriving from Belfast International Airport crashed at Birmingham Airport during final approach in thick fog. The two crew on board were both injured, with one being airlifted to hospital. The aircraft was transporting a human liver for a transplant operation which was subsequently completed successfully.[107] The airport reopened at around midday the following day.[108]
  • 16 June 2018 (2018-06-16): A Norwegian Air International Boeing 737-800 was travelling from Keflavik Airport to Madrid Airport when a hydraulic failure was reported.[109] A hydraulic leak was seen from the left gear so the crew decided to divert the aircraft to Birmingham Airport.[109] Tyre debris was seen exploding around during the landing along with small flames.[110] The aircraft stopped on the runway and everyone on board was safely taken off. Flights from Birmingham Airport were cancelled for four hours after the incident.[111]

Security incidents

edit
  • 6 June 2007 (2007-06-06): The Tonight with Trevor McDonald programme exposed serious security flaws at Birmingham Airport over six months. Fifteen members of staff working for the security contractor "ICTS UK Ltd" were suspended and subsequently dismissed for gross misconduct.[112] Members of security were filmed asleep on duty, reading magazines whilst operating X-ray scanners, leaving aircraft unguarded, and ignoring bags sent for extra security checks, as well as being understaffed. The security lapse was deemed so serious, that Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the US Congress Homeland Security Committee, commented on it in the United States Congress and advised that all flights to and from Birmingham Airport should cease.[113] ICTS dismissed the members of staff shown in the programme for their actions, but still claimed that the footage had been "contrived to exaggerate and sensationalise" the issues.[114]
  • 8 June 2009 (2009-06-08): The West Midlands Police helicopter (G-WMAO) was destroyed by arsonists,[115] and subsequently written off.[116] A year later, a new Eurocopter EC135 similar to G-WMAO was handed over to West Midlands Police at the Farnborough Airshow. Thousands of pounds were subsequently spent upgrading security surrounding the police helicopter.[117]
  • 17 July 2014 (2014-07-17): A member of the public got onto the airfield through a restricted area of the terminal by crawling through the opening of a baggage carousel and getting onto the airport's tarmac apron, and then got aboard a Lufthansa Embraer 195 plane. He was subsequently fined.[118][119]

Ground transport

edit
 
Birmingham International railway station
 
The Air-Rail Link joins the railway station to the airport, operated by a track and pulley system
 
The proposed 'Birmingham Interchange'

Public transport

edit

Rail

edit

Birmingham Airport is served by Birmingham International railway station. The station is on the West Coast Main Line between Birmingham and London, and trains are operated by West Midlands Trains, Avanti West Coast, Transport For Wales, and CrossCountry. Access between the railway station and the airport terminal is provided by the free Air-Rail Link.[120]

Proposed High Speed 2

edit

As part of Phase 1 of the High Speed 2 rail link, a new railway station called Birmingham Interchange will be built to serve both the airport and the National Exhibition Centre. The station will be built on the far side of the M42 motorway and connect to the airport using a "rapid transit people mover". High Speed 2 is currently planned for completion by 2029.[121]

West Midlands Metro

edit

There are plans to implement a new Line 3 of the West Midlands Metro to Birmingham Airport from Edgbaston, this would link Birmingham Interchange, Birmingham International and Birmingham Airport to the City Centre of Birmingham in 30 minutes travelling along the A45.[122]

Bus and coach

edit

National Express West Midlands operates the main bus routes calling at Birmingham Airport, those being the X1 to Birmingham city centre and Coventry, the X12 to Chelmsley Wood and Solihull, and the 96 to Chelmsley Wood, Erdington and Kingstanding.[123] Other smaller operators also call at the airport. Bus stops are situated outside Terminal One.[124] Most buses are operated by National Express West Midlands.[125]

National Express Coaches operates various long-distance coaches calling at Birmingham Airport on the way to or from Birmingham coach station.

Taxi

edit

Black cabs are available at the taxi-rank outside the arrivals area of the terminal.[126]

Car

edit

Birmingham Airport is accessible from the north and south via Junction Six of the M42 motorway. From Birmingham city centre, the A45 runs directly to the airport. Parking charges apply in some areas even for very short periods of time, with locations farther from the airport being cheaper than those near the airport.

Bicycle

edit

The only cycle route available heads south over the A45 travelling towards Solihull. Birmingham Airport has however published "recommended routes" for cyclists.[127] Free short term cycle parking is available close to the terminal. For longer stays, bicycles must be stored in the Left Luggage for a charge.[128]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Birmingham Airport". Airport Watch. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Annual airport data 2022". UK Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. ^ "AIP NATS Home". National Air Traffic Services. Retrieved 4 June 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Aircraft and passenger traffic data from UK airports". UK Civil Aviation Authority. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  5. ^ "We're Saying 'Hello World' As We Relaunch Our Brand". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010.
  6. ^ "Leisure Parks Events: Cycling and Walking foldout map" (PDF). Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Datasets". UK Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  8. ^ Caswell, Mark (20 May 2023). "EasyJet to open Birmingham base". Business Traveller. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Historic England. "Elmdon Terminal Building, Birmingham Airport (1458322)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Birmingham". British Pathe. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
  11. ^ "How historic Elmdon Terminal at Birmingham Airport has been saved". Birmingham Mail. 22 August 2018. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "The History of Birmingham International Airport". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
  13. ^ "First Concorde visit to BHX 16/09/1980". Birmingham Airport Video Blog. 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  14. ^ "Birmingham Airport bids farewell to Concorde". BBC News. 20 October 2003. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  15. ^ "The magnetic attraction of trains". BBC News. 9 November 1999. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
  16. ^ "World's first Maglev operation moves into the test phase". Railway Gazette International: 260–262. April 1983.
  17. ^ "New plan aims to bring the Maglev back". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2006.
  18. ^ "AirRail Shuttle Birmingham International Airport". DCC Doppelmayr. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
  19. ^ "Birmingham International Airport People Mover". Arup. Archived from the original on 29 November 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2008.
  20. ^ "Birmingham Airport Master Plan". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010.
  21. ^ "Birmingham Airport reveals vision of new runway". Birmingham Post. 13 June 2013. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  22. ^ "Airport closes its oldest runway". BBC News. 28 December 2007. Archived from the original on 4 April 2014.
  23. ^ "Emirates opens £1,3 million lounge for passengers at Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  24. ^ a b "Runway Planning Notice". Birmingham Airport. 24 July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2010.
  25. ^ "Birmingham Airport changes name". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  26. ^ "New Agency to Manage Rebrand Announced". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 22 September 2010.
  27. ^ "Birmingham Airport (home page)". Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
  28. ^ "Birmingham Airport says 'Hello' to a new identity". Communicate Magazine. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 August 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  29. ^ "Plane spotting at Birmingham Airport". Birmingham Airport Guide. Archived from the original on 6 February 2006.
  30. ^ a b "New Air Traffic Control Facility". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016.
  31. ^ "HS2 'will bring Birmingham Airport closer to London'". BBC News. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  32. ^ a b c Smith, Graham (23 April 2014). "Birmingham Airport runway extension ready next week". Business Traveller. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  33. ^ "Runway extension at Birmingham International Airport could be completed by 2012 Olympic Games". Birmingham Mail. 16 December 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  34. ^ Cartledge, James (17 September 2010). "Birmingham Airport runway scheme back on track". Archived from the original on 4 May 2016.
  35. ^ "Birmingham Airport runway extension work starts". BBC News. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 December 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  36. ^ "Preferred Contractor Announced for Runway Extension Scheme". Birmingham Airport. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 13 May 2012.
  37. ^ "Pension fund raises stake in UK's Birmingham Airport". Airport World. 2 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  38. ^ "Birmingham Airport reveals plan for £100m investment". BBC News. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Flybe collapses as coronavirus outbreak takes toll". The Independent. 4 March 2020. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  40. ^ "New Flybe launches with inaugural Birmingham to Belfast City service". Anna.aero. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  41. ^ Parveen, Nazia; Walker, Amy (27 March 2020). "Temporary mortuary being built at Birmingham airport". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  42. ^ "Unfinished morgue already in use for virus deaths". BBC News. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 10 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  43. ^ "Emirates expands its A380 network with the resumption of services to Birmingham, Glasgow and Nice". Emirates. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  44. ^ "Flybe: Regional carrier ceases trading and cancels all flights". BBC News. 28 January 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  45. ^ Haines, Gavin (22 August 2018). "England reaches 400,000 listed buildings milestone – here are eight of the most curious". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  46. ^ Historic England. "Elmdon Terminal Building, Birmingham Airport (Grade II) (1458322)". National Heritage List for England.
  47. ^ "Destinations and more". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 2 December 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  48. ^ "Air France NS24 Paris European Frequency Variations – 21JAN24". Aeroroutes.
  49. ^ Liu, Jim (25 September 2024). "Air India 4Q24 UK Service Increases". AeroRoutes.
  50. ^ "Blue Islands to face competition from EasyJet on flights between Jersey and Birmingham". ITV. 29 June 2023.
  51. ^ "Shrinking not sprouting – Brussels struggles on some UK short haul routes post-Brexit". Centre for Aviation. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  52. ^ a b "EasyJet launches two new 'popular' island destinations from Birmingham Airport". Finavia. 19 November 2024.
  53. ^ a b c Klein, Josie (11 June 2024). "EasyJet adds 33 routes from UK to winter 2024-25 schedule". Travel Weekly.
  54. ^ "EasyJet přidává 6 linek do Prahy". Honzovy Letenky.cz (in Czech). 11 June 2024.
  55. ^ Mayling, Samantha (17 July 2024). "EasyJet to serve Luxor for first time in more than a decade". Travel Weekly.
  56. ^ Piotrowski, Mariusz (11 June 2024). "Nowa trasa easyJet z Polski. A to nie koniec dobrych wieści!". fly4free.pl (in Polish).
  57. ^ "EasyJet to open six new routes to Rovaniemi Airport". Finavia. 20 June 2024.
  58. ^ "EasyJet to connect Rovaniemi with Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nice and three other cities this winter". Aviation24.be. 21 June 2024.
  59. ^ a b Davies, Phil (18 October 2023). "Jet2 introduces Morocco flights and holidays". Travel Weekly.
  60. ^ a b c d e f Liu, Jim (16 July 2024). "Jet2 NS25 A321neo Network Expansion – 14JUL24". AeroRoutes.
  61. ^ "Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Go BIG for Summer 2017". Jet2.com. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  62. ^ Macola, Ilaria Grasso (6 March 2024). "Jet2 to Launch Eighth Christmas Market Destination Next Winter". TTG Media.
  63. ^ "Jet2com". Cologne-Bonn Airport.
  64. ^ Piotrowski, Mariusz (6 March 2024). "Brytyjska tania linia wchodzi na drugie lotnisko w Polsce. 2 nowe trasy, ale tylko przez kilka tygodni". fly4free.pl (in Polish).
  65. ^ Cañas, E. M. (25 June 2024). "La aerolínea Jet2, muy cerca de aterrizar en el Aeropuerto de Jerez". Diario de Jerez (in Spanish).
  66. ^ "Jet2: Summer 2024 Program Includes Flights to Lesvos from UK". Greek Travel Pages. 31 July 2023.
  67. ^ a b Chapple, James (29 November 2023). "Jet2holidays puts four new destinations across Greece, Portugal and Croatia on sale". TTG Media.
  68. ^ "Aeroporto Salerno Costa d'Amalfi: nuovi voli Jet2 per l'Inghilterra nell'estate 2025". Salerno Notizie (in Italian). 29 August 2024.
  69. ^ Jajcanin, Djordje (25 July 2023). "Jet2 to launch Birmingham-Tivat flights in 2024 - report". SeeNews.
  70. ^ "KLM NS24 European Service Changes – 21JAN24". Aeroroutes.
  71. ^ a b Liu, Jim. "Loganair NS24 Service Changes – 25FEB24". Aeroroutes.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  72. ^ Liu, Jim (8 November 2023). "Pegasus NW23 Network Additions – 08NOV23". AeroRoutes.
  73. ^ "Qatar Airways Resumes Services to Birmingham, England, Ahead of Formula 1® British Grand Prix 2023". Qatar Airways. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  74. ^ Liu, Jim (30 March 2023). "Ryanair NS23 Network Additions Summary – 26MAR23". AeroRoutes.
  75. ^ Liu, Jim (12 December 2022). "Ryanair NW22 Network Additions Summary – 09DEC22". AeroRoutes.
  76. ^ a b Davies, Phil (13 December 2023). "Ryanair adds UK routes with summer 2024 Morocco expansion". Travel Weekly.
  77. ^ a b Liu, Jim (12 December 2023). "Ryanair NS24 Network Additions – 10DEC23". AeroRoutes.
  78. ^ a b "Ryanair will launch a new routes from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds and London". Britain Travel Deals. 5 December 2023.
  79. ^ Liu, Jim (30 October 2023). "UK NW23 Network Additions/Removals Summary – 29OCT23". AeroRoutes.
  80. ^ McAleer, Ryan (10 January 2024). "City of Derry Airport: Ryanair flights to Birmingham will operate full year round from April". The Irish News.
  81. ^ "Lotnisko w Łodzi. Ryanair z nowym kierunkiem. Polecimy do Birmingham!". Lodz.pl (in Polish). 10 May 2024.
  82. ^ Liu, Jim (23 February 2023). "Ryanair NS23 Porto Frequency Variations – 19FEB23". AeroRoutes.
  83. ^ a b De Souza, Naomi (24 June 2023). "New Birmingham Airport Ryanair routes announced - full list". Birmingham Mail.
  84. ^ a b "Ryanair launching three routes from Birmingham in Oct/Nov-2024". CAPA Centre for Aviation. 16 May 2024.
  85. ^ a b Liu, Jim (18 September 2023). "Ryanair NW23 Network Changes – 17SEP23". AeroRoutes.
  86. ^ Liu, Jim (16 July 2024). "Ryanair NS24 Network Additions Summary – 14JUL24". AeroRoutes.
  87. ^ Caswell, Mark (6 March 2023). "SAUDIA to launch flights to Birmingham". Business Traveller. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  88. ^ Liu, Jim (23 November 2022). "SunExpress NS23 Routes Addition Summary – 22NOV22". AeroRoutes. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  89. ^ "SWISS NW24 Europe Frequency Changes – 27OCT24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  90. ^ "Flight Timetable". tui.co.uk.
  91. ^ Liu, Jim (3 May 2023). "Tui Airways resumes Birmingham–Kuusamo service from December 2023". AeroRoutes. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  92. ^ Barnes-Brown, Alice (9 November 2023). "A new airline and more direct routes – what's in store for UK to Caribbean flights?". Travel Weekly.
  93. ^ "Hong Kong Air Cargo inaugurates route to Birmingham". Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  94. ^ Liu, Jim (30 August 2022). "Lufthansa Cargo Adds Birmingham Freighter Service in Oct 2022". AeroRoutes. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  95. ^ "About us". Star Air. Archived from the original on 16 May 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  96. ^ a b Number of Passengers including domestic, international and transit.
  97. ^ a b Number of Movements represents total takeoffs and landings during that year.
  98. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft incident 19-JAN-1973 Vickers 813 Viscount G-AZLR". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  99. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft incident 29-DEC-1973 Beechcraft Baron G-AZUJ". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 20 March 2015. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  100. ^ "5/2004 Bombardier CL600-2B16 Series 604, N90AG, 4 January 2002". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 10 December 2014.
  101. ^ "Report on the serious incident to Airbus A310-304, registration F-OJHI, on approach to Birmingham International Airport on 23 February 2006". UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  102. ^ "S5/2006 Boeing 737-301SF, OO-TND". UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived from the original on 26 June 2007.
  103. ^ Ranter, Harro (15 June 2006). "ASN Aircraft accident Boeing 737-301F OO-TND East Midlands Airport (EMA)". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  104. ^ "Cargo plane crash pilots sacked". BBC News. 27 July 2006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2006.
  105. ^ "Cargo flight 'a near catastrophe'". BBC News. 29 April 2008. Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
  106. ^ "Accident Boeing 737-301 (BDSF) OO-TND, Thursday 15 June 2006". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  107. ^ "Birmingham airport plane crash: Liver transplant operation goes ahead successfully". Birmingham Mail. 20 November 2010. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  108. ^ "Cessna 501 Citation, G-VUEM, 19 November 2010". Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  109. ^ a b Ranter, Harro. "Incident Boeing 737-800 EI-FHD, 16 Jun 2018". Aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  110. ^ flugsnug (16 June 2018). "Burst tire debris exploding all over - Norwegian emergency BHX". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  111. ^ Birmingham Airport [@bhx_official] (16 June 2018). "The Norwegian aircraft that landed on Birmingham Airport's runway will shortly be removed..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022 – via Twitter.
  112. ^ "Airport at centre of security row". Birmingham Mail. 4 June 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  113. ^ Murray, James (3 June 2007). "Airport Security Who Would Rather Read or Sleep Than X-Ray Bags". The Daily Express. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  114. ^ "Airport security lapses exposed". BBC News. 4 June 2007. Archived from the original on 15 February 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  115. ^ "Arson attack on police helicopter". BBC News. 8 June 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  116. ^ "Aircraft registration G-WMAO". Civil Aviation Authority. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  117. ^ "West Midlands Police ready to take off with new chopper". Birmingham Mail. July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2010. Retrieved 22 July 2010.
  118. ^ "Man accused of Birmingham Airport security breach". BBC News. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  119. ^ "Drunk stowaway said he was co-pilot". BBC News. 20 August 2014. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  120. ^ "Birmingham International Station". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010.
  121. ^ "High Speed Rail Command Paper" (PDF). Department for Transport. [permanent dead link‍]
  122. ^ "East Birmingham to Solihull Metro Extension". Midland Metro Alliance. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  123. ^ "New Birmingham Airport Bus 97". Network West Midlands. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  124. ^ "Getting to the Airport by Coach or Bus". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010.
  125. ^ "Cash Fares – Single Journeys". National Express West Midlands. Archived from the original on 26 April 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  126. ^ "Private Hire and Taxi to Birmingham Airport". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  127. ^ "Recommended cycle routes". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010.
  128. ^ "Getting to the Airport by Bike". Birmingham Airport. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010.
edit

  Media related to Birmingham Airport at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Birmingham_Airport&oldid=1259456414"