BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT IN THE UK UNVEILS DRAFT MASTER PLAN

Birmingham Airport in the UK today launched its draft master plan outlining proposals to invest £500 million over the next 15 years to raise its capacity to 18mppa by 2033.

Called ‘The Midlands Gateway to the World’, the gateway's self-financed blueprint for the future involves improving, modernising and extending its facilities to raise its capacity and enhance the passenger experience.

The airport claims that its proposals reinforce the integral part it plays as a catalyst for growth across the Midlands and in the UK’s economic prosperity. 

Indeed, it outlines the airport’s role in driving future economic benefit to the region, which it says will increase by 42%, totalling £2.1 billion a year and 34,000 jobs by 2033.



The airport notes: "A greater choice of flights and destinations, alongside improved regional connectivity and a direct link to HS2, are vital to the continued growth of the region’s thriving economy. 

"The global markets to which the airport connects help to drive international trade, investment, employment, inbound tourism and the success of the region’s many universities. 

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"The airport will continue to improve air links for people in the region, providing more flights to cultural hubs, business centres and a greater choice of outbound holiday destinations. It will continue to expand the existing wide range of short-haul and long-haul scheduled and charter services and destinations, with both full-service and low-cost airlines."

Building on existing commitments to sustainability and community support, the draft Master Plan demonstrates how desire to become one of Europe’s leading regional airports will be balanced with a responsibility to the environment and the people who live and work in the airport’s vicinity.

It claims that its "ambitious yet sustainable plan" is focussed on addressing the key constraints to more rapid growth. 

This, it says, will involve a major expansion of the terminal facilities, the construction of additional new aircraft stands and working with national agencies and regional partners to deliver improved public and road transport surface access for passengers. 

And it promises that all of the forecast demand growth is fully achievable on the existing single runway which has the physical capacity to handle 25 to 30 million passenger movements a year.

Birmingham Airport's acting managing director, Simon Richards, says: “Birmingham Airport is already the preferred national and international aviation hub for the Midlands and our ambition is to build on this to become one of Europe’s leading regional airports, acting as a key economic accelerator, delivering great service to passengers, and helping to showcase the region.

“Over the next 15 years, we will expand and significantly improve the airport to maximise our potential as a single runway airport by investing £500 million. 

"Our plans take account of our forecast growth and will increase operational efficiency for our airlines and partners and improve the experience for our passengers.”

Alongside the draft master plan, the airport will be consulting on a new draft 'surface acess strategy', which will outline how it will meet growth requirements and targets, as well as continuing to work in collaboration with transport bodies and operators.

The launch of this draft Master Plan triggers the start of a 12-week public consultation for stakeholders to feed back their views on the airport’s Plans. 

Full details of the plan and how to feedback can be found at http://www.bhxmasterplan.co.uk/

The final version of the master plan will be published in early 2019.