£100m investment to speed travellers on way at airport
BIRMINGHAM Airport has announced plans to inject £100 million of investment into the transport hub in a bid to improve efficiency and the experience of passengers.
Work has already started on the most significant project to replace the hold baggage screening system with the latest X-ray technology.
The airport said this would more than double the hourly baggage processing capacity.
Other major improvements include developing a new drop-off car park, which will be free for 30 minutes and will be connected to the terminal entrance with a covered walkway.
Existing car parks will also be upgraded and a brand new surface car park is planned. The airport also plans to double the number of self-service bag drop kiosks as well as install digital check-in aimed at improving efficiency.
Chief executive Paul Kehoe said: “We have seen enormous growth at Birmingham Airport over the last few years and we are currently welcoming 11 million passengers a year through our terminal.
“We’re therefore making this investment to enhance operational efficiency and improve the passenger journey in time for the summer 17 season when we’ll welcome 15 new routes with Jet2 and anticipate in excess of 12 million passengers over the next year.
“Looking more long-term, Birmingham Airport is in a unique position as, in ten years’ time, it will become the UK’s only HS2connected airport, growing the catchment into London with highspeed trains and serving Birmingham from the capital in circa 30 minutes.
“We’re therefore working on our master plan to look at options which maximise the benefits of HS2 for Birmingham, the wider region, airlines and passengers.
“This will allow us to scope out how we can create a truly integrated transport network that can take the pressure off the overheated London system and transform our facility from a 25 million potential passenger site to 60 million-plus in the future.”