Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[Aviador]

Birmingham Airport has started a multi-million-pound programme of development works to improve the passenger journey through the airport terminal.

The works include redeveloping the security processing area to provide more boarding card gates, a dedicated security preparation area and a refreshed waiting area with new flooring and lighting.

Commenting on the investment, David Winstanley, COO for Birmingham Airport, said, “This investment comes following record passenger growth and to ensure that we’re prepared for the coming summer period where the airport will welcome new long-haul services to New York, Boston and Toronto, as well as many new popular short haul destinations.

“The service we give our customers is an absolute priority for us so we’re investing a great deal to improve the airport journey for them.”

The Airport is also developing its retail and catering offer, with the recent opening of The Factory restaurant and the arrival of Kurt Geiger to its airside shopping experience.

Later this spring, a new Bottega prosecco bar will open as well as wrapchic – an Indian inspired burrito and sandwich outlet.

A covered walkway to the terminal is also under construction for those who choose to walk to the terminal from the free drop off car park, and a new 178-guestroom Hilton Garden Inn hotel will open in the summer.

New digital wayfinding and signage will be introduced before the summer season.

Additional staff are being recruited in key customer facing areas, including terminal operations, customer relations and security officers.

A jobs fair will be held at the airport on Friday 19th January. For more information, please visit www.birminghamairport.co.uk/careers

 

[Ray Finkle]

Work in the old WHSmith unit next to security are well underway, hopefully it will make a difference.

TUi have taken over the old Monarch desks and have added some self serve machines. Hopefully there is enough room there for them in the peak months, the Monarch queue's used to be huge.

Wrapchic will be a nice addition and make up for the loss of the Deli Hub. I believe that Kurt Geiger is replacing Hugo Boss?

Wrapchic‏ @Wrapchic Jan 17
Wrapchic are pleased to announce they will be landing at @bhx_official. With the addition of an extended 'Great Indian Breakfast' range we'll have you covered from morning to night to make your airport visit that little bit more 'Wrapchic'. #birminghamairport

 

[Brummiegem]

Just to add to Rays’ post above,the catering unit in the centre of that area is now boarded up.The piano that was prominent just in front of the entrance to the unit has been moved to in front of the monorail entrance.It will be interesting to see what happens if we get a busy period.How will the queue into security be managed?There is not a lot of room to play with.
The new Kurt Geiger store airside is still being developed.Not sure of the opening date.

 

[nbdm]

My biggest gripe with BHX at the minute is the lack of natural light in the departure lounge, it's always so dark!
Going out to the international pier is much nicer, but lacks much seating and/or amenities.

I really hope they are planning to do something with the lighting in the main departure lounge.

 

[Brum X]

Awesome photo of the Elmdon site at BHX, permission off Andy Stretton to share this photo with you all.

 

[Brum X]

Is it me or are we starting to see "curves" on the taxiways when vacating off the runway ? I dont know why we dont see more of this at UK airports becouse it must be so much more efficient when planes are leaving the runway and quicker.

 

[Aviador]

Is it me or are we starting to see "curves" on the taxiways when vacating off the runway ? I dont know why we dont see more of this at UK airports becouse it must be so much more efficient when planes are leaving the runway and quicker.

Do you mean rapid exit points that are diagonal with the runway?

 

[Matt995]

Birmingham doesn't have any rapid exit points at the moment, they have been mentioned in master plans, and futures airfield works, but as of yet nothing has been constructed.

 

[rollo]

I thinking their called fillets just to give aircraft more room to play with when entering or exiting the runway.

 

[Brum X]

I thinking their called fillets just to give aircraft more room to play with when entering or exiting the runway.

BHX should have fillets especially to help at busy times, when ive been at BHX on a busy day having these would save vaulable time instead the aircraft have to go slowright upto the line at which point they turn left or right depending which runway is in use. If we had fillets aircraft can go that little bit faster and just gradually turn off the runway. Its not rocket science, but we are in good old blighty like most things we have to do it our own little way, the British way.

 

[Ray Finkle]

So much potential for a nice new terminal.

 

[Aviador]

BHX should have fillets especially to help at busy times, when ive been at BHX on a busy day having these would save vaulable time instead the aircraft have to go slowright upto the line at which point they turn left or right depending which runway is in use. If we had fillets aircraft can go that little bit faster and just gradually turn off the runway. Its not rocket science, but we are in good old blighty like most things we have to do it our own little way, the British way.

I think a Fillet is basically just referring to a runway exit. I'm fairly sure the type you referring to is called a rapid exit or high speed exit. I believe they can be used at speeds of upto 60knots.

 

[rollo]

I think a Fillet is basically just referring to a runway exit. I'm fairly sure the type you referring to is called a rapid exit or high speed exit. I believe they can be used at speeds of upto 60knots.

Yes that's correct.

 

[Coathanger16]

So much potential for a nice new terminal.

Still nothing?

"Birmingham Airport is in a unique position as in ten years’ time it will become the UK’s only HS2 connected airport, growing the catchment into London with high-speed trains and serving Birmingham from the capital in c30 minutes. We’re therefore working on our new master plan to look at options which maximise the benefits of HS2 for Birmingham, the wider region, airlines and passengers, with the aim of publishing a draft master plan for public consultation. This public consultation will ensure that local communities and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to submit comments on any proposals for growth so that they can be taken into account before the final master plan is published in 2018."

From the airports master plan website (https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...lopment/airport-strategy/airport-master-plan/)

So working backwards, if the master plan is to be published in 2018, the latest that would realistically be before Christmas/New Year is early/mid December. After consultation, the airport will likely need between 3 & 6 months to review the responses, which means a 12 week (3 month) consultation should start no later than June, but potentially as early as March.

Is there anything going on with HS2 that could delay publication of the master plan?

 

[Brum X]

An example of what i would like to see at BHX is shown in this photo of the Runway and Taxiways at AGP (Malaga Airport)

 

[Brum X]

Meanwhile at BHX, we have straight taxiways off the runway.

 

[Brum X]

Sorry am i going off topic ?

 

[Ray Finkle]

The fillet programme has been ongoing for a while. This is a NOTAM from last March.

Q) EGTT/QFATT/IV/BO /A /000/999/5227N00145W
A) EGBB
B) 16/03/17 07:48 C) 16/03/31 23:59
E) TRIGGER NOTAM - CONSTRUCTION OF TAXIWAY FILLETS - SUP 005/2016 REFERS DURATION OF WORK BETWEEN MAR AND JUN 2016

Still nothing?

I've heard April. I know it's frustrating but with HS2 on the horizon there is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has to be done right.

We're also still one CEO down which doesn't exactly help

Sorry am i going off topic ?

Moved

 

[Coathanger16]

I've heard April. I know it's frustrating but with HS2 on the horizon there is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has to be done right.

Yes we certainly want it done right rather than rushed! Saying that, this time last year the BHX website was saying the master plan would be published in Spring 2017!

 

[nbdm]

Last I heard on HS2 they are going through advance design phases and surveying (for example, they have just released this week some concepts of the Colne Valley viaduct)
Also doing lots of environmental things and re homing wildlife.

More locally to BHX, I know there are some utility diversions coming up around the M42 and Gilson which are related.
I heard they will be sharing the M6 J4 compound at some point too, which is being used for the smart motorways scheme.

I hope there is lots of joined up thinking going on between BHX and HS2 which is what is delaying the master plan, great opportunity hope it gets realised.

I drove along East Way towards the A45 last week and spotted some activity in the field where the station will be, could just be ground clearance though.
Hopefully we'll start seeing some 'real' construction soon (although it will make my life a pain with all the roadworks)