Birmingham Airport gives Post Business Awards wings

BIRMINGHAM Airport is again supporting the annual Birmingham Post Business Awards and celebrating those firms making headlines overseas.

The transport hub has signed up to sponsor the International Trade and Export category at the annual awards which take place at the ICC in Birmingham in September.

Birmingham Airport is currently undergoing a major period of transformation and has just finished the public consultation over a planned £500 million, 15-year overhaul which it hopes will mean annual passenger numbers rise from 13 million to 18 million by 2033.

Among its plans are a new checkin area with the latest self-service technology, a larger departure lounge with expanded retail and dining offer and a new back-of-house baggage sorting area aimed at improving efficiency.

Birmingham is the UK’s third largest airport outside the capital and the seventh overall and can count 35 million people within a two-hour catchment.

It currently operates more than 150 routes and offers an additional 340 possible connections worldwide.

When HS2 opens, the rail journey between Birmingham Airport and central London will reduce from the current 70 minutes to 38 as it becomes the UK’s first and only highspeed connected airport.

Chief executive Nick Barton said: “Birmingham Airport is delighted to be sponsoring the International Trade and Export category at the Birmingham Post Business Awards for the sixth consecutive year.

“Each year, the calibre and quality of entrants impresses us, with companies looking at new and innovative ways to increase trading with overseas markets.

“We can’t wait to announce the winner on the evening and wish everyone the very best of luck.”