Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[Butty]

On the hotel, the architects who submitted the original application do a lot of work for Holiday Inn....but with two so close doubt if it is they. Wait for the advertisement application to come in. That will give it away. Raddison would be good.

....on the second runway, the issue as I see it is not just runway capacity for terminal and apron space. The airport is on a very constrained site and unless it breaks beyond it current boundaries I fear that it's total area could be it undoing. A Gatwick sized airport needs a Gatwick sized field to operate within. We just do not have that. All great having more hotels etc, but there are more pressing needs within the security fence. The second runway will open up hundreds not acres but there is an equal priority to promote UK Central Hub.

Damn this successful booming economy. Decisions decisions decisions.

It will be interesting to see whether the Qataris invest and where.

 

[nwoody2001]

PK did tell us at The BHX Forum, there was a Radison Blu but I thing that may go behind the Monarch hanger ?

Radison Blue is the hotel that got permission for the long stay car park to the south of the passenger terminal as you drive in to the airport.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This link to the UK Central Hub Growth and Infrastructure Plan was posted on SSC by Neon. I can't remember how many of these type of plans I've seen over the years but it's an interesting read nevertheless.

https://westmidlandscombinedauthority.org.uk/media/1819/draft-1-organisation-members-30317.pdf

Phase 1 expects pax estimates as 12-17mppa with expansion of the current site including possibly encroaching onto greenbelt south-west of the A45.

Phase 2 has two options, develop the current site further (which will be heavily constrained) or have a combined HS2 and airport terminal.

Phase 3 estimates 23-30mppa by 2032 by which point the current site will have reached capacity.

Phase 4 (Beyond 2032) suggests a new runway but also points out the huge hurdles that may be in the way to make it happen.

"Longer term, should the airport passenger volumes continue to grow, then consideration may well be required for further expansion of the airport facilities. This is likely to be required to achieve growth beyond 30mppa. A taxiway would also be required to link the new runway with the existing runway to maximise operational efficiencies.

A lot of work would be required by the Airport to substantiate and demonstrate need, and to prepare a business case (supported by their shareholders) to justify further expansion, which would also require the support of Government with an updated Civil Aviation Policy for regional UK airports.

Birmingham Airport have estimated that a 65 mppa airport with new terminal infrastructure and a second runway could deliver at least £7.3bn in GVA for the greater Birmingham economy and contribute some £11.4bn to the total UK economy per annum.

Beyond 2032 the combined airport/terminal could become established and ancillary development such as hotels and other commercial uses will be attracted to the triangle as passenger numbers at the airport increase."

 

[Brum X]

Info provided by neon18 on SSC
BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT, UK

THE CHALLENGE
AiQ Consulting were asked by our client to specify and manage the tender process for a new baggage system at Birmingham Airport. With incumbent system severely outdated, improvements were needed to take the capacity of the airport from 10 to 18 MPPA (Million Passengers per annum). Working with project management company Faithful+Gould and bagLOGIX, independent baggage system designers, this was a two year programme to overhaul the outdated baggage system.

AiQ were required to manage stakeholders, review the tender documents and provide expert baggage systems advice during the tender process.

THE SOLUTION
The new baggage system will virtually double capacity at the airport, exploring new technology, such as Early Bag Store, Common Check-In, and Compound Baggage Build, as well as ensuring the airport complies with ECAC Standard 3.

AiQ reviewed the tender documents specified by bagLOGIX, helped the client formulate the design and appoint the system integrator. With our expert baggage systems knowledge, we were integral in guiding the process to a successful conclusion.

THE BENEFIT
Providing stakeholder management, AiQ Consulting coordinated the client team and other parties involved in the process, while delivering expert baggage systems advice. The new baggage systems will create more flexibility, capacity, redundancy (providing alternatives to check in) and resilience for Birmingham Airport moving forward.

We are now acting as project interface between the client’s project managers and the system integrators.

http://www.aiqconsulting.com/case_study/birmingham-airport/?platform=hootsuite

 

[jfy1999]

Possible site preparation for building the hotel? Picture by PerpetualBrum on SSC:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Good to see it finally start

I've still not heard about who the operator will be. After the Radisson Blu fell through I wonder if they'll be taking on this one instead?

 

[Brum X]

Fantastic news, BHX is having a mini facelift with a new hotel, new car parks, new baggage system. Hopefully some of this is in place before the peak summer period so that passengers get a good impression of BHX.

 

[Brum X]

 

[Ianbutty]

Was just me but did that video skip to the giro d'italia once it ended? What is odd, I am watching it on TV right now...how did it know?

New baggage system is only as good as the ability for passengers to swiftly reclaim their bags. Need that terminal expansion!

 

[Ray Finkle]

The new bussing lounge is complete, the link below contains a picture.

http://d5architects.net/new/birmingham-airport-bussing-lounge-complete/

Mr Kehoe also Tweeted that the Drop and Go Car Park reopens on Thursday, just in time for the busy half term weekend.

 

[Coathanger16]

Not much we didn't already know really, but still makes for an interesting read...

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/...-terminal-inside-hs2-station/10020030.article

Interesting to note is that "The masterplan is expected to be published later this year" - does that mean the Spring date for publish/consultation has slipped...?

 

[Ianbutty]

Hi Coathanger. Wise to wait if they are discussing with HS2. See whether they joint facility has weight. Plus the UK Central Hub proposal is an important factor and the airport needs to fit within that wider scheme. Not straightforward, but mega exciting!

 

[thunderchild]

The new bussing lounge looks good.

I flew out of the old Eurohub last week and while it remains functional I think it's high time it was replaced. I don't think any of the airbridges are actually used to connect to any aircraft these days - one of them looks like it has collapsed! With those out of the way could the stands be re-arranged a bit better? Something more suitable for the Ryanair/flybe operation is required now. Interesting that Vueling, Blue Air and Norwegian are still operating from the other side despite them being believed to be moving over?

What it has got going for it though is that it's still relatively quiet there so you can escape the hustle and bustle of the main departure lounge if desired. A new Costa Coffee is also going up there to next to All Bar One. At the end of the day when you've only paid £15 for a flight to Dublin you can't really complain!

 

[JF57]

The new bussing lounge is complete, the link below contains a picture.

http://d5architects.net/new/birmingham-airport-bussing-lounge-complete/

Mr Kehoe also Tweeted that the Drop and Go Car Park reopens on Thursday, just in time for the busy half term weekend.

Let us hope that they have also refurbished the old bussing lounge. That was awful. It served gate numbers around 60 if I remember correctly.

 

[58terminus]

The new bussing lounge is complete, the link below contains a picture.

http://d5architects.net/new/birmingham-airport-bussing-lounge-complete/

Looks like what it is,a glorified bus shelter. Trouble is Uber will be no good if you are unfortunate enough to be
delayed in it.

 

[rollo]

Let us hope that they have also refurbished the old bussing lounge. That was awful. It served gate numbers around 60 if I remember correctly.

Yes we went through it a few weeks ago it let's the airport down hopefully management are aware and will address it as relatively small things can make all the difference.

P.S. enjoying this forum.

 

[Ray Finkle]

This was posted by Ian F elsewhere so hopefully he doesn't mind me putting it on here?

Birmingham Airport are considering a new terminal at the HS2 site. The article was accessible early but now seems to need a subscription, maybe someone else can view it? From what I can remember there were options for either a single or dual terminal and the high speed people mover could start in the next couple of years.

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/...station/10020030.article#.WR9O0-xDOso.twitter

 

[User001]

So a 31 minute train ride from London to Birmingham, but 25 mins from the HS2 station to the airport terminal. Only in the UK could that backwards way of thinking be considered!

 

[Ray Finkle]

So true.

I guess it will all be in the detail.

The article suggested that passengers would leave the station and exit straight into the airport terminal for check in, bag drop etc. I guess the current facility could then become totally airside. The key would be the speed of moving pax between the two, one monorail every 90 seconds won't be anywhere near enough.

 

[JF57]

So a 31 minute train ride from London to Birmingham, but 25 mins from the HS2 station to the airport terminal. Only in the UK could that backwards way of thinking be considered!

It needs speeding up a bit. The quoted time is at around 3 mph. It looks as if the people mover is a pavement!