Birmingham: Airport Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[58terminus]

Thanks all. That is what I thought. Integrated transport, smart transport and efficient mass transport is the future. What HS2 and 3 will do, should do, is eradicate the need for internal flights in the UK.

So how about this for a change in direction: use the airport as a multi modal transport hub. Wanna fly across the Atlantic? Come to Birmingham airport, check in and catch a train to Heathrow. Get to Heathrow in 30 minutes. Likewise coming to Brum. 30 minutes from Heathrow.

Wow that is a pretty radical ideal Ian.
With HS3 you could also do the same for MAN flights. Convert the airfield into an area for a coach//bus station ,car parks, and there would be still room for sidings for HS trains.. Last but not least would be the tram line extension. But of course all the other developments would be long up and running before that got there.
Not sure if it could still be called an airport though.🙂

 

[JENNYJET]

The Midlands Travel Port, a complete customs and immigration clearing point. Checking in baggage? Would it be helicopters to LHR or small prop planes this equates to double handling with related costs etc..

It is an interesting idea but I believe the sites of BHX & NEC could be amalgamated and revamped for international purpose, it exists in a higgledy higgledy way today but an additional runway and terminal facility on the NEC site would utilise the National Rail services and existing hotel rooms everyday outwith the exhibition seasons and Genting wouldn't mind the additional interest.

The new aviation asset could easily become the e.g. Ryanair terminal and the current facility dedicated to longhaul Widebody services.

 

[IanFarquharson]

Is it April the 1st ?

 

[Ianbutty]

By the way I am not suggesting that the airport goes, just use the location to improve links to Heathrow so we improve fast connectivity for the city to the world rather than worry about lack of connectivity. Just a thought.

I would rather have the direct links, but alternatives need to be considered. As air travel faces higher fuel and more environmental constraints will there be scope for multiple trans continental hubs in the UK?

 

[58terminus]

By the way I am not suggesting that the airport goes, just use the location to improve links to Heathrow so we improve fast connectivity for the city to the world rather than worry about lack of connectivity. Just a thought.

I would rather have the direct links, but alternatives need to be considered. As air travel faces higher fuel and more environmental constraints will there be scope for multiple trans continental hubs in the UK?

Isn't a major problem with the U.K. the mindset that everything has to go through or stay in London How about an alternative idea.of
allowing 85% of the nations population a fair crack of the whip.

 

[Ianbutty]

Oddly enough I post a multi modal BHX on the day that BHX announce a multi modal BHX. Weird.

 

[58terminus]

Oddly enough I post a multi modal BHX on the day that BHX announce a multi modal BHX. Weird.

Yes the usual business/pr gobbledy speak, They did hint that current rail connections were unreliable.not a good message for the MD to be
putting out at he moment particularly as it is not correct. Also the 40% growth over the next 15 years is about the same as the last 15.
£500m to just plod along!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Mace have been named as the construction manager for the departure lounge extension.

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/la...birmingham-airport-expansion/10042961.article

The article also contains a timeline for future phases.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the expansion is scheduled to begin in 2024 and comprises plans for a connection to HS2 at Birmingham International station.

The final phase is set to start in 2029 and will see alterations made to the runway and aircraft stands.

 

[Coathanger16]

Mace have been named as the construction manager for the departure lounge extension.

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/la...birmingham-airport-expansion/10042961.article

The article also contains a timeline for future phases.

Meanwhile, the second phase of the expansion is scheduled to begin in 2024 and comprises plans for a connection to HS2 at Birmingham International station.

The final phase is set to start in 2029 and will see alterations made to the runway and aircraft stands.

What's the timeline for the actual terminal extension? Must be ready to start work on it by now?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Must be ready to start work on it by now?

Enabling works have already started.

I should have grabbed a picture on Saturday but it was the early hours and I was knackered. I'll try and get one over the weekend if the weather isn't too bad.

 

[Ianbutty]

Enabling works have already started.

I should have grabbed a picture on Saturday but it was the early hours and I was knackered. I'll try and get one over the weekend if the weather isn't too bad.

Excuses excuses excuses

Great to see the work underway. Coming up next weekend and will take a look. May take the family on a stopover at the runways end. Last visit resulted in my son comparing a 380 to a sardine and daughter wanting to live in North Sheldon. May see some of you up there.

Starting to get excited again about BHX.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Mace have been named as the construction manager for the departure lounge extension.

Quite an achievement for a group of convenience stores!

 

[58terminus]

Quite an achievement for a group of convenience stores!

If you consider what airport terminals are like now it makes perfect sense.

 

[SRDey]

One thing I think Birmingham Airport needs to do is invest in a lot of Art work and Art Projects from Local artists in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region. Now a days a lot of Airports are investing time and money into all these Art Projects in there Terminal’s to help promote there country, city and history and it makes them look beautiful also it creates a different kinds of environment for an Airports one that is more calming and relaxing as well as unique for Travellers. Not just that these Art projects are great for Business Travellers & Connecting Passengers who don’t have time to see or experience the city and it local culture properly or are just passing through an Airport and don’t really get a one second to even step outside and experience the country that they are transiting through. I think Birmingham Airport seriously need to invest in this for both there Departures and Arrivals as I think will help to improve BHX and make it a better Airport for travellers as well as for the West Midlands region because you are and will be promoting the best of local talent within the region, but also the culture and the heritage of Birmingham and it promotes Birmingham & the West Midlands region as whole and not only that I think it will help to attract more local business to work with Airport.
One thing I am annoyed about is that the Airport got rid of this Digital Display Screen in the Arrivals section of the International Pier that showcased the Best of Birmingham & West Midlands which has a list of all the Local attraction and things do within the City & WM I saw it for the first time when I was coming back from Kolkata on Emirates EK37 back in August 2011 and thought it looked absolutely amazing, then in August 2013 when I was coming back from Dubai with Lufthansa they still had the display but it was switched off and I think it was either when I was coming back from Dubai in 2014 August (Flight EK39) or Kolkata in 2015 August (Flight EK37) they got rid of it and replaced it with Shakespeare’s England advert that’s printed on the wall which I think looks tacky unless they put actual Art Work and display pieces for people to see.

 

[Ianbutty]

Good idea DRey. A link with the arts community at the Custard Factory would be good. As long as they do not copy take a leaf out of Denver Airport's art stylising.

 

[BHXsupporter]

I'm absolutely behind this and I remember the video. Coventry's CIty of Culture year could take advantage of this. That and the Bham Commonwealth Games must surely be unstoppable applications!

 

[SRDey]

Good idea DRey. A link with the arts community at the Custard Factory would be good. As long as they do not copy take a leaf out of Denver Airport's art stylising.

I'm absolutely behind this and I remember the video. Coventry's CIty of Culture year could take advantage of this. That and the Bham Commonwealth Games must surely be unstoppable applications!

Thank you and glad you guys are onboard and it is defiantly worth it I think not only that it will last a lifetime if done well. Yes of course we must collaborate with the Custard Factory, The MAC, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Local Artists that you may know of or even your self if you guys love Art and are good at it.Of course we need to promote the fact that Coventry is City of Culture 2021 and then the following year we will be hosting the Commonwealth games 2022 and welcoming a variety of different people from Around the world so we need to show that we have a fantastic and unique Airport that attracts people to fly from BHX as well as Airlines to use BHX and Art helps it’s a beautiful, expressive as well as being a universal language and we need to promote that things like UB4 Album Covers and records around in and around terminal, portraits of people like Felicity Jones who is from Kings Heath, Sculptures made of Chocolate and other chocolate related things from Cadbury’s, Statues of Lady Godiva or even live music and dance areas (Delhi Airport Terminal 3 International Departures has a duty free shop where live Classical Indian music and Indian classical dances such as Kathak, Odissi etc... are played and performed everyday without failure.) these are just some of the creative, wonderful and great ideas can showcase Birmingham and the West Midlands. We will find our own style and not copy other Airports styles but I have a feeling if we collate and collaborate all of our ideas together we can pull it off and transform BHX completely. Also thank god someone remembers that video screen I really did like it and it’s such a waste to have and spend so much money on it just for a short time period of time and then stop using it completely. If you guys come up with any ideas I would love to hear them as it’s nice to get creative and have a bit of fun

 

[Aviador]

Such a great idea @SRDey you should speak to the airport about your idea.

 

[Vinny94]

Definitely agree with this SRDey, Birmingham is a great city that has vastly become an excellent business and social hub, and travellers should acknowledge what the city has to offer.

 

[SRDey]

Thank you so much @Aviador You are very kind 😊 I would really love to speak to Birmingham Airport about the idea it’s beautiful.But sadly I do not think they will listen to 20 year old University Student I think they would rather listen to someone who has much more experience and connections with the Airport than me sadly . But I suppose it’s worth a try what harm can it do🤔.But would love to work with a team or create one with who ever thinks this is a good idea and whoever would to join & collaborate not only that it would be a a fantastic way to plan get some ideas rolling if ever possible and meet and get to know all you wonderful and lovely Guys and Girls. As well if it’s a team thing I am sure the Airport will probably listen as a-posed to one person on there own.🤓