£500m airport vision to reach for the sky Massive investment in terminal and aircraft gates could boost economy
BIRMINGHAM Airport has revealed a masterplan for a huge £500 million upgrade over 15 years which could increase capacity by five million passengers a year.
Most of the investment will create a new larger departure lounge with a mezzanine floor, shops and restaurants, toilets and seating.
The ground-floor check-in will be revamped to offer more self-service desks, the latest bag-drop technology and a new back-of-house baggage sorting area aimed at improving efficiency.
The security area will be enlarged and a new arrivals section will also be created.
There will be 11 new aircraft stands and better public transport and road access for passengers, all fuelling the airport’s ambition of increasing passenger numbers to 18 million by the year 2033.
The new masterplan – entitled “The Midlands Gateway to the World” – was launched this week and kicks off a three-month public consultation.
Airport bosses are also hoping to increase the choice of budget and full-service flights, adding to its existing 150 destinations.
The airport, which is the UK’s seventh largest, claimed the self-funded investment would raise its contribution to the local economy from £1.5 billion to £2.1 billion a year and take employment to 34,000 jobs in 2033.
Acting managing director Simon Richards said: “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.”
The changes would sit alongside improved regional transport and a direct link to the nearby HS2 Interchange station, set to be built a mile away.
But the announcement quashes any lingering questions over whether a second runway will be built as the airport said the plan is achievable on the existing single runway.
This new masterplan follows a £100 million investment in new security facilities and car parking, first announced in September 2016.
Improving the facilities for passengers at Birmingham Airport is vital if the city is to steal a share of the market from London or Manchester, West Midland Mayor Andy Street claimed.
He said: “We know as a competitive market that we’ve got to win a share, being really blunt about it, from Manchester and the London airports. So the investment in the customer facing services is hugely important.”
A number of public exhibitions will take place throughout the West Midlands from November 12 to January 22, 2019, and the consultation period ends on January 31, 2019.
The final version of the masterplan will be published early next year.