Birmingham: Airport Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[tompo]

I feel so sorry for the loyal supporters of BHX. Their aspirations are continually let down by the organisation’s failure to develop its business in a manner which befits the potential status. Similarly, airlines which are naturally the core reason for its existence, must be totally frustrated with the lack of quality ambition and ‘sticking plaster’ solutions. I fully understand the negativity of current financial constraints, however, this does not explain why competitors are powering ahead regardless. The only solution is to sell it off to an operator which knows how to add value and a return to its shareholders.
As an aside, prior to working at BHX, I was involved at Luton Airport in the early seventies when we erected marquees to perform a similar function as proposed. The reaction was inevitably horrendous thus affecting our reputation and setting back our plans accordingly.

 

[IanFarquharson]

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/media/5538/birmingham-airport-master-plan-2018-webres.pdf

The only reference to the bussing lounge in the master plan that I could find is:

"There are currently two bussing lounges in the North terminal with a total of 12 gates and two individual bussing gates in the South terminal.

As part of the check-in reconfiguration in the North and South terminals, space will be freed up in the south pier to develop a new bussing lounge facility to serve the re-configured stands."

That would suggest the new bussing lounge would be located within the South Pier itself rather than an extension on the end of the pier - and looking at Appendix B of the master plan it is in the South Pier with a "terminal extension" to the South of the pier as well. It's not that we're getting this "queueing area" rather than the bussing lounge. They're two completely different things! The new bussing lounge can't be started until the check in area has been re-configured which also hasn't started yet.

On the other hand, since before the pandemic I believe we've gone from 4 based Ryanair aircraft to 6 with potentially another one from next Summer which is also when we're getting 3 based easyJet aircraft which could grow to 5 in the future. That's an additional 6-8 based aircraft. The new queueing area maximises the use of the newly reconfigured stands and allows those new based aircraft and airlines to grow.

By all means view things through a negative lens, but on the other hand since the master plan was produced in 2018, we've had:

- Thomas Cook and Flybe collapse, collectively accounting for 23.4% of BHXs passenger throughput
- A global pandemic that practically shut down aviation for several years, costing airports and airlines £bns
- A government requirement to update security
- Soaring inflation with little to no growth in the general economy
- 2 wars in the far Eastern areas of Europe
- The 2nd largest LCC in Europe opening a base at the airport

To criticise the airport for not continuing with projects that were planned over 5 years ago ignores all that has happened in those 5 years and any business that ignored what has happened likely wouldn't stay in business for long.

Simply put, priorities have changed and the airport only has a finite budget available per year. That is currently being spent on the security reconfiguration and the stand reconfiguration around the South Terminal - the latter of which WAS in the master plan. Both of these will be completed by next summer, freeing up capital to be spent from next winter on other projects - lets see what those are.

I totally agree with all of your comments.
The bussing facility is exactly what was planned in the last masterplan and will deliver a boost in capacity as pax can move forward as they nearer departure freeing up much need space in the terminal.
This alongside the current work will hopefully ensure the airport caters for the extra pax in 2024 with the easyjet base etc. 2024 may not be a record year as we have a lot of catching up to following Monarch, Thomas Cook & FlyBe. We must talk the airport up and not run it down, BHX has done well in the last 12 months getting Saudi, Qatar, Pegasus and the EK380 back plus as mentioned the easyjet base and hopefully more Ryanair expansion. We are not Manchester and never will be !

 

[Matt995]

Do we actually know how many aircraft stands we will have around the old Eurohub terminal, once all this work has been completed?

we currently have 7 stands on the left of the old eurohub by taxiway W, stands 10 to 16, 7 stands to the right of the old eurohub, stands 1-7, maximum of 2 stands at the front (8L & 8R), and the 6 remote stands, 20-25, so possibly 22 available stands at present?

will the stands 8L & 8R be moved further back towards taxiway D, or will this new building mean they will be removed?

 

[Coathanger16]

Not sure of the exact numbers, but we will loose some stands as stands 4-7 and 10-14 were originally too small for A320/B737. It may go from 7 stands down either side of the pier to 5 or 6 depending on spacing.

That wasn't an issue when we had a Flybe base as their aircraft could fit on those stands leaving stands 1-3 and 15-16 for Ryanair/easyJet.

Looking at next summers current schedule for prop/small jet airlines that can use those stands, at peak schedule there are 16 flights per day and at most they'd occupy 4 stands. This occurs between 8:00 and 8:30 in the morning by which time the majority of the based Ryanair/easyJet/Jet2 aircraft will have departed so it doesn't matter where the "small" aircraft park. It also occurs in the evening between 18:45 and 19:25, also a time when the majority of based Ryanair/easyJet/Jet2 will be away from base.

Essentially there's currently no need for prop/small jet aircraft to have dedicated stands as there isn't enough of them that them using A320/B737 sized stands causes a problem.

Jet2 already use South Terminal/Eurohub extensively for their flights, and once the stand reconfiguration is complete, there would potentially be 18 stands capable of taking A320/B737 sized aircraft, so we could potentially see all Jet2 flights depart/arrive from Eurohub?

 

[nwoody2001]

I feel so sorry for the loyal supporters of BHX. Their aspirations are continually let down by the organisation’s failure to develop its business in a manner which befits the potential status. Similarly, airlines which are naturally the core reason for its existence, must be totally frustrated with the lack of quality ambition and ‘sticking plaster’ solutions. I fully understand the negativity of current financial constraints, however, this does not explain why competitors are powering ahead regardless. The only solution is to sell it off to an operator which knows how to add value and a return to its shareholders.
As an aside, prior to working at BHX, I was involved at Luton Airport in the early seventies when we erected marquees to perform a similar function as proposed. The reaction was inevitably horrendous thus affecting our reputation and setting back our plans accordingly.

"Their aspirations are continually let down" ...i cant speak for others, but to me the last 12 months has been anything but a let down. Growing passenger numbers, the return of the Emirates A388 and Qatar 788, the introduction of brand new airlines to BHX such as Saudia and Pegasus, the announcement of a New Base by Easyjet and record sized schedules being announced by Jet2 and Ryanair. at this rate, BHX is likely to experience is busiest year on record in 2024 so I'm not sure what aspirations are being lost.

Yes such temporary buildings are neither exciting of real interest, but i'd rather they do this than nothing. unfortunately building works take time, so id rather they do this until they have a permanent solution. Getting their airlines and passengers in is key to generating the revenue to expand the terminal. with their airlines and passengers, there will be no expansion. What would you prefer BHX do....? Turn the airlines away and only operate within the airport existing capacity with no further expansion?!

 

[Onlinespeedy]

Whilst I think this proposal lacks any form of longevity or class, which may be for a reason we aren't aware of, this proposal also has it's positives. Currently, to get passengers to and from the newly reconfigured stands 12 and 13, you must use buses as the walking route is far to complicated. These bus journeys from gate 7 and particularly gate 12 take seconds to complete. With the current issues with the lack of bus drivers airside, this new building will make it much easier for passenger's to get to these stands and the stands on the other side once phase three is complete. That is a very welcome addition. Yes, it is a shame is looks like a cattle shed, but it does have it's positives from an operational standpoint. Seeing as Jet2 currently operate primarily from south terminal, I assume they will be the primary users of this new space and not Ryanair who moved out of the south terminal some while ago.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Schiphol has a pier not too dissimilar for LoCo carriers - albeit with limited seating.
It is a bit of a shock after the opulence of the main terminal, but functions well.

 

[Timberwolf]

Schiphol has a pier not too dissimilar for LoCo carriers - albeit with limited seating.
It is a bit of a shock after the opulence of the main terminal, but functions well.

Another fact not mentioned here is that the new queuing hall is being built on the only widebodied stand on old Eurohub (8C)
There have been no widebodied scheds operating from it for some years BA and AA the last.However it had been used numerous times last in recent years to park widebodied diverts on, and add hoc charters such as Hi Fly, RAF, and Maleth A330s and others on.
It also means there Is nowhere this side to take a Jet 2 A330 if they require to do so once Eurohub building is fully handed over for Jet 2 ops .
Remote stand 25 is also downgraded although it could only take a B767.
There are no near time plans to build any more widebodied stands.Just to reconfigure a few more of the 80s remotes to C,L,R to take one or two after 5 years.
I would really like BHX to put in the 2 new widebodied stands (planned long term )at the end of the international pier, much earlier.
Even now on Sunday lunch the Int pier has Qatar,Emirates,Saudia, Air India and often 2 TUI 787s on it.
If BHX get another couple of widebodied services wanting similar times BHX is going to struggle around the pier.
So hopefully they will move these new proposed stands forward.

 

[Coathanger16]

Another fact not mentioned here is that the new queuing hall is being built on the only widebodied stand on old Eurohub (8C)
There have been no widebodied scheds operating from it for some years BA and AA the last.However it had been used numerous times last in recent years to park widebodied diverts on, and add hoc charters such as Hi Fly, RAF, and Maleth A330s and others on.
It also means there Is nowhere this side to take a Jet 2 A330 if they require to do so once Eurohub building is fully handed over for Jet 2 ops .
Remote stand 25 is also downgraded although it could only take a B767.
There are no near time plans to build any more widebodied stands.Just to reconfigure a few more of the 80s remotes to C,L,R to take one or two after 5 years.
I would really like BHX to put in the 2 new widebodied stands (planned long term )at the end of the international pier, much earlier.
Even now on Sunday lunch the Int pier has Qatar,Emirates,Saudia, Air India and often 2 TUI 787s on it.
If BHX get another couple of widebodied services wanting similar times BHX is going to struggle around the pier.
So hopefully they will move these new proposed stands forward.

The only part of the masterplan that gives any kind of indication of the split between narrow body and wide body stands is the CGI on the cover. Taking that as what the airport is planning to do (so therefore with a pinch of salt):

- Stands 10 to 13 will be reconfigured to a MARS stand (2x narrow body or 1x wide body). With just stand reconfiguration, there will be just one of these at the Eurohub. With new stands there would be two next to each other.

- A number of the 70/80s remote stands would be reconfigured to be able to handle wide bodies. It's difficult to tell from the CGI if they're MARS stands or just regular wide body only stands, though it would make sense for all wide body stands to be MARS stands for the flexibility they provide. It looks like the remote stands are all shifted towards taxiway T to allow wide bodies to park on the reconfigured 70s remote stands as they're currently to short for anything longer than an A321. Essentially the area of grass between taxiway T and U would be covered over becoming a new taxiway, with two rows of remote stands between the new taxiway and taxiway V.

On the CGI, in addition to the 5 wide body capable stands on the International Pier, it shows an additional 4 wide body aircraft parked on current stands that have been reconfigured, with what looks to be 5 new stands parallel to taxiway E.

From the CGI, it looks like all the 70/80s remote stand will be wide body capable, potentially providing 5 wide body stands with airbridges on the International pier, with an additional 14 wide body capable remote stands in multiple locations across the airport (not including anything on the Elmdon side).

 

[Timberwolf]

The only part of the masterplan that gives any kind of indication of the split between narrow body and wide body stands is the CGI on the cover. Taking that as what the airport is planning to do (so therefore with a pinch of salt):

- Stands 10 to 13 will be reconfigured to a MARS stand (2x narrow body or 1x wide body). With just stand reconfiguration, there will be just one of these at the Eurohub. With new stands there would be two next to each other.

- A number of the 70/80s remote stands would be reconfigured to be able to handle wide bodies. It's difficult to tell from the CGI if they're MARS stands or just regular wide body only stands, though it would make sense for all wide body stands to be MARS stands for the flexibility they provide. It looks like the remote stands are all shifted towards taxiway T to allow wide bodies to park on the reconfigured 70s remote stands as they're currently to short for anything longer than an A321. Essentially the area of grass between taxiway T and U would be covered over becoming a new taxiway, with two rows of remote stands between the new taxiway and taxiway V.

On the CGI, in addition to the 5 wide body capable stands on the International Pier, it shows an additional 4 wide body aircraft parked on current stands that have been reconfigured, with what looks to be 5 new stands parallel to taxiway E.

From the CGI, it looks like all the 70/80s remote stand will be wide body capable, potentially providing 5 wide body stands with airbridges on the International pier, with an additional 14 wide body capable remote stands in multiple locations across the airport (not including anything on the Elmdon side).

To be fair the 2018 masterplan is a complete mess. It was delayed 3 times and when it evebtually came out its littered with confusion and waffle.

I attended one of the masterplan roll out meetings at a local hall.The 2 airport bosses attending admitted to me, it was a pale shadow of the previous masterplan.Which they said was based on LHR not getting a 3rd runway.Now it was they said we didn't need such a big airport.

Yet here we are in 2023 no sign of a 3rd runway coming to LHR .

Adding to the confusion they handed me a copy of the new masterplan which had on it drawings of new remote stands off taxiway T near the fire station.They collected this at the end. The one we were allowed to keep had no drawings of them as is the case on the current online masterplan although they are mentioned in the online basterplan but not in the hard out.

They then talked of 11 more stands needed for the masterplan mostly code C .

Yet as i was reading the one they handed out, I said that you mention another 25 may be required on top of this if demand is higher.

Yet unlike the last masterplan where all this had drawings and explanations none of this shows in the new one.

They admitted this had been an admission and apologised.

Going on, the new masterplan shows nothing on the Elmdon side.Alrhough it does mention they were to refurb the Elmdon Building within 5 yrs (not happened yet)
Also new security gates.

Yet to achieve the latter they stated hangar 2 had to come down to widen the internal road which is currently 1 way wigmth lights
Then admitted they had twice withdrawn planning applications to take the hangar down in the past few years and there were no plans to remove it now.

Red faced then admitted therefore they couldn't deliver the new security gate area in the master plan within the first or perhaps 2nd phase.

Again being honest they said there was now no detail of any plans Elmdon side as at the last second they took it out the masterplan and decisions would not be looked at in the short term.

What a shambles !

 

[tompo]

Exactly. You cannot build a successful business without a clear unequivocal plan which has the full support of it’s backers. My advice would be to present a new one, taking into account the big picture of current UK and World growth needs. Aviation has been in turmoil since the inception of covid and only participants with cool heads and clear objectives will make significant progress.

 

[Ray Finkle]

To be fair the 2018 masterplan is a complete mess. It was delayed 3 times and when it evebtually came out its littered with confusion and waffle.

I attended one of the masterplan roll out meetings at a local hall.The 2 airport bosses attending admitted to me, it was a pale shadow of the previous masterplan.Which they said was based on LHR not getting a 3rd runway.Now it was they said we didn't need such a big airport.

Yet here we are in 2023 no sign of a 3rd runway coming to LHR .

Adding to the confusion they handed me a copy of the new masterplan which had on it drawings of new remote stands off taxiway T near the fire station.They collected this at the end. The one we were allowed to keep had no drawings of them as is the case on the current online masterplan although they are mentioned in the online basterplan but not in the hard out.

They then talked of 11 more stands needed for the masterplan mostly code C .

Yet as i was reading the one they handed out, I said that you mention another 25 may be required on top of this if demand is higher.

Yet unlike the last masterplan where all this had drawings and explanations none of this shows in the new one.

They admitted this had been an admission and apologised.

Going on, the new masterplan shows nothing on the Elmdon side.Alrhough it does mention they were to refurb the Elmdon Building within 5 yrs (not happened yet)
Also new security gates.

Yet to achieve the latter they stated hangar 2 had to come down to widen the internal road which is currently 1 way wigmth lights
Then admitted they had twice withdrawn planning applications to take the hangar down in the past few years and there were no plans to remove it now.

Red faced then admitted therefore they couldn't deliver the new security gate area in the master plan within the first or perhaps 2nd phase.

Again being honest they said there was now no detail of any plans Elmdon side as at the last second they took it out the masterplan and decisions would not be looked at in the short term.

What a shambles !

Well we have a new Sheriff in town now and hopefully one that will realise that the 2018 edition is in need of an update.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Well we have a new Sheriff in town now

Can you clarify who you this is, please.

 

[nwoody2001]

Can you clarify who you this is, please.

Nick Barton who started his post as CEO in 2019 following Paul Kehoe who stepped down as CEO in 2017... alas, Nick Barton will have had no real say in the 2018 BHX Masterplan

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Nick Barton who started his post as CEO in 2019 following Paul Kehoe who stepped down as CEO in 2017... alas, Nick Barton will have had no real say in the 2018 BHX Masterplan

Thanks nwoody2001. I thought that it was referring to something much more recent.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Interesting reply at @Hello_BHX on X.

Once the new area is done the existing security search area will be home to '5 or 6 new bars and restaurants'.

Definitely needed 👍

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729048031289589877

 

[Brum X]

Interesting reply at @Hello_BHX on X.

Once the new area is done the existing security search area will be home to '5 or 6 new bars and restaurants'.

Definitely needed 👍

https://twitter.com/x/status/1729048031289589877

That's all very well and good, however when people arrive at BHX and the escalators down to the immigration hall never work this is not a good look especially when we have high fliers such as Emirates, Qatar and Saudi now gracing our tarmac.

As much as these new places are welcome, sometimes just the basics would be a good start ?

Sorry for the moan 😒

 

[tompo]

Totally agree. Arriving at BHX from DXB / DOH or anywhere else for that matter is a bit of a shock to the system. It is almost 3rd World in certain aspects. The baggage hall has appalling lighting and is painted inappropriately in dark green shades- not a good first impression! The wifi doesn’t even support WhatsApp. When I landed from SIN/DXB last Month I counted nearly two hundred people in the taxi queue, freezing cold and one taxi available.

 

[Brum X]

Totally agree. Arriving at BHX from DXB / DOH or anywhere else for that matter is a bit of a shock to the system. It is almost 3rd World in certain aspects. The baggage hall has appalling lighting and is painted inappropriately in dark green shades- not a good first impression! The wifi doesn’t even support WhatsApp. When I landed from SIN/DXB last Month I counted nearly two hundred people in the taxi queue, freezing cold and one taxi available.

And in the very busy summer months, you have 3 different flights sometimes on one luggage belt with suitcases literally falling off, loooooooooooooooool

Again, sorry for the moan. 😗

I wonder if this is something the West Midlands Combined Authority can invest into in the future. I mean they stump up cash for the Camp Hill Lines, Metro Extensions and Bus Routes so why not invest some money into BHX to get these much anticipated improvements done quicker ? It is only going to benefit Birmingham/West Mids in the long run ?

I am afraid if we wait for BHX to carry out these improvements, it will be like watching paint dry and we will probably still be talking about the broken escalator in 5 years time.

 

[richard winterbourn]

Your moan is justified Brum X, because our pride in our city demands nothing less.

But don't think Bhx is alone in calling out for improvements. I travel frequently from Man and I can't remember when the travelators last worked - years?

And today, adding insult to that injury, the escalator from the rail station was blocked off.

Brum is doing OK, particularly when it is judged against its competitors...