Birmingham: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[IanFarquharson]

There’s shares on for sale, I’ve heard a Middle East airline has possibly bought shares but it’s unknown who Exactly, my guess will be EK as expected though

An airlines probably wouldn't be allowed to buy an airport and if they could why would they ?

Opinions peeps?
Low cost Carriers before I expand

Another wish list !
Some guesses in there but I wouldn't hold out for too much from Ryanair following their comments about UK expansion (or lack of it)

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

An airlines probably wouldn't be allowed to buy an airport and if they could why would they ?


Another wish list !
Some guesses in there but I wouldn't hold out for too much from Ryanair following their comments about UK expansion (or lack of it)

Genuinely bored.Love doing this.🤩

See this is the fun part of route development.Looking at what markets could expand and strengthen outwards.
As Birmingham is 85-90% leisure and tourist city it is imperative that we expand and get the correct routes here.50-65% of Birmingham is business areas and I think getting business and leisure routes is very important and also connecting destinations.
It’s good to see Saudia if they do expand daily.Connector city


I’ve come to a conclusion to say Etihad won’t and will not happen.😂

 

[BHX492]

An airlines probably wouldn't be allowed to buy an airport and if they could why would they ?

It’s been done before, Back in the day Coventry Airport was owned/leased to TUI AG from February 2004 until around May 2009. Obviously a lot of things have changed since but it wouldn’t make sense due to competition laws, If I was to have a guess I would say it would have to be the government of the country like Qatar who currently own shares in IAG.

 

[nwoody2001]

It’s been done before, Back in the day Coventry Airport was owned/leased to TUI AG from February 2004 until around May 2009. Obviously a lot of things have changed since but it wouldn’t make sense due to competition laws, If I was to have a guess I would say it would have to be the government of the country like Qatar who currently own shares in IAG.

Well the Saudi Public Investment Fund - the same fund that is subsidising the Saudia BHX-JED route bought a 10% stake in Heathrow so i would put my money in that direction...

I generally have zero knowledge or insght to base this on however...

 

[Scania1800]

An airlines probably wouldn't be allowed to buy an airport and if they could why would they ?


Another wish list !
Some guesses in there but I wouldn't hold out for too much from Ryanair following their comments about UK expansion (or lack of it)

That’s exactly what I’m thinking, shares are not allowed to be purchased by airlines, I’m not 100%, it could just be some investors

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Hi and good evening

From what I have read from the BBCs post(Will post a link) apparently Solihull council and Birmingham Airport representatives and authorities are set to meet tomorrow to negotiate a deal for night flying if can be agreed or not.

Extra night flights at Birmingham Airport set for go-ahead

A report by Solihull Council recommends plans be approved early in the new year.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Matt995]

Hi and good evening

From what I have read from the BBCs post(Will post a link) apparently Solihull council and Birmingham Airport representatives and authorities are set to meet tomorrow to negotiate a deal for night flying if can be agreed or not.

Extra night flights at Birmingham Airport set for go-ahead

A report by Solihull Council recommends plans be approved early in the new year.

www.bbc.co.uk

planning application summary (and documents!) can be found here:-

Planning – Application Summary

Current UK Airports night flight limits:-

 

[tompo]

There are no legal constraints on airlines investing in airports. However, one must always bear in mind the potential for ‘conflict of interest’ which will inevitably emerge in such a business structure. Stobart group gave us an example of this scenario when it purchased SEN while still operating Stobart Air.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Admin of the airport website needs to sort out the directory of routes that airlines don’t fly to and routes that do not operate.Just saying
Few examples
Inverness-Loganair.suspended a year ago

Lyon-EasyJet not on sale nor doesn’t operate.Havent seen a route since a year ago +

Naples-Removed from sale and still shows easyjet direct

Warsaw-wizz air .Removed off wizz air system and don’t operate.Ryanair running the route from march.

Need to sort the map box aswell.😖
Iasi showing but don’t operate from bhx

 

[jfy1999]

I don’t personally know anyone who searches for destinations on airport websites when they’re booking flights, they go directly to airlines or else use flight price comparison sites

If lots of people did use the BHX website for searching up flights, we’d be seeing a lot of complaints about it on social media, seeing as it’s outdated 😉

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-01-08/explained-why-are-birmingham-airports-night-flights-so-controversial

Night flying has apparently been approved by Solihull Council according to itv

 

[Aviador]

This was posted in the Leeds forum but thought you'd like it here....

ONCE UPON A TIME, there was an airport in the West Midlands, called Birmingham. Now, after it got approval to extend its runway, it did very well. It grew, and grew, and eventually, grew so much that it needed to apply for approval to allow more night flights. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth among people known as NIMBYs, many of whom lived many miles from the airport and should really have shut up.. These NIMBYs worked for the Wicked Witch of the West Midlands, who wanted to get rid of aeroplanes, so only broomsticks were allowed to fly. These were said to be sustainable, dedpite the fact they were made of wood which came from trees which had to be chopped down.

So, it came to pass that the Local Authority known as Solihull Council had to decide if the airport could fly more planes at night. They had to listen to the NIMBYs and decide whether to succumb to their whinging or do the right thing for the benefit of the majority. So they all voted. 9 people had to decide. 7 voted to ignore the NIMBYs and allow the airport to do well. 2, voted to side with the NIMBYs because they were probably afraid of the Wicked Witch who might take their job away. So the airport will grow some more and all those people who are not NIMBYs lived happily ever after.

The End

 

[IanFarquharson]

One of the councellers who rejected the proposal lives right by me - under the 33 approach path !

You cant make it up, moans then buys a house by the airport !

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

One of the councellers who rejected the proposal lives right by me - under the 33 approach path !

You cant make it up, moans then buys a house by the airport !

I live well my dad lives on Skate catholic church(opposite )by Lidl.

Don’t mind the planes taking off

 

[Hassaan]

When did the proposal for night flights first come up? I get the feeling it's something they've tried to make happen for the best part of 10 years.

I'm glad they've finally managed it though. It was necessary, though I'm interested in how it changes the landscape (if it does at all).

 

[HPsauce]

Despite ITV Central News having a very negative stance on the modest increase in night flights, I'm pleased it's all been approved.
I live near the 15/33 approach/ climb out and rarely are bothered by aircraft noise. Certainly they are so much quieter than in the I970's/80's.
I understand it's only for a maximum of 6 extra movements anyway in the 11pm to 6am period.

 

[BHXsupporter]

I don’t personally know anyone who searches for destinations on airport websites when they’re booking flights, they go directly to airlines or else use flight price comparison sites

I do! Very few airports (even airlines!) have maps and if you don't know which airlines might serve the destination it's time consuming. Even dialing in a destination usually only gives information about the destination rather than who currently goes there and when!

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Well, Mr Nick Barton has been CEO for 4-5 years now, what are his achievements so, easyJet, that's it. Still no direct flights to the US yet, not since 2017, that's 7 or 6 years ago, not including the pandemic. No real big investment in the airport so like building another terminal, so that you have one for domestic and second one for International and World wide destinations. Building an security hall in existing building, which is not a very ambitious idea at all. Just hope that otpp sell up soon to a proper investor, who has the vision to invest and move the airport forward.

 

[nwoody2001]

Well, Mr Nick Barton has been CEO for 4-5 years now, what are his achievements so, easyJet, that's it. Still no direct flights to the US yet, not since 2017, that's 7 or 6 years ago, not including the pandemic. No real big investment in the airport so like building another terminal, so that you have one for domestic and second one for International and World wide destinations. Building an security hall in existing building, which is not a very ambitious idea at all. Just hope that otpp sell up soon to a proper investor, who has the vision to invest and move the airport forward.

• Managed the airport through a global pandemic with 2024 pax levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels (2024 pax levels of 12,850k +1.5% on 2019)
• Attracted a new Easyjet Base to the airport, currently 5 aircraft in size and the 7th UK Base creating around 2,000 new jobs
• Agreeing a multi-year growth program with Ryanair resulting in Ryanair doubling the size of their base at BHX
• Attracting new airlines to BHX including Saudia, Pegasus, Sun Express, attract growth from existing airlines including Air India and Turkish, an managing the return of key airlines such at Qatar.
• Overseeing the investment of over £75m in the airport in the last 2.5 years including new security areas, additional 737/320 parking stands as part of the southern apron stand reconfiguration to enable the growth seen by Easyjet, Ryanair and Jet2, and a new solar farm to help the airport meeting its Net zero objectives.
• Secured an review and relaxing of night-time flying limits

To me, considering that the airport was focusing on survival from 2020-2022, a pretty impressive list of achievements if you ask me. There is still plenty more to do for sure and i look forward to the airport releasing updates to their masterplan... but a pretty exciting 2 years for sure. Lets hope momentum continues!

 

[tompo]

I do not regard the introduction of solar panels as ambitious in any context. What is the point if it cannot use the electricity it seemingly produces on a rare clear day for a single set of escalators. I recently travelled into BHX from BNE and was literally ashamed of the experience. Nobody ever says “ we prefer to fly from BHX because it stands out from all the rest for its pleasurable qualities, opportunities and subsequent experience.” As far as I can see all the competitors have equally survived and recovered to a similar extent from covid . The airport will never attract the business it’s potential deserves until it is sold to an entity which totally understands the risk and development of the airline industry.