Birmingham: Airport Infrastructure, Construction & Developments

[JENNYJET]

Emirates have been good to BHX over time whilst others have come and gone for varied reasons. Recognition in any form is justifyable to me.

 

[Nethercote2019]

Does anyone know what the new smart building under construction on Elmdon site is for ?
It’s on site of old international buildings
thanks

 

[Ray Finkle]

Like the new Emirates branding, anything advertising a one stop connection to the world from your local airport is fine by me 👍

As Madam Jenny points out, Emirates have done wonders for BHX.

How about a model A380 on Bird Island, similar to the one at LHR? 🙂

 

[pianokeys]

The new build on the Elmdon site between Dnata and the old tower looks like it is being fitted out. Noticed when walking past today that the glass front doors have gained ‘Signature’ branding. Possible small private biz jet terminal ?

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Interesting! Would the new building have required planning permission and if so, would this give any information to it's purpose and operator?

Kevin

 

[Creguk]

I was just thinking about the runway extension - looking back now, was it a complete waste of money? Obviously the pandemic has changed air travel massively, but what was the motive in the first place? Fully loaded A380s?

 

[Coathanger16]

I think the expectation was that it would attract new routes and airlines, and without the extension they definitely wouldn't have been able to do that.

The first flight to make use of the runway extension was one of the Beijing charter flights from China Southern.

In the 2 years after the runway extension opened, American Airlines and Qatar launched routes to BHX, and Emirates started sending the A380. Probably only the latter needed the extension, but on the whole I think the airport would rather have it than not.

 

[HPsauce]

I was just thinking about the runway extension - looking back now, was it a complete waste of money? Obviously the pandemic has changed air travel massively, but what was the motive in the first place? Fully loaded A380s?

I believe the A380s was a major factor, along with flights to the US west coast and Far East, which were mooted at one time. The extension has undoubtedly helped in recent times with National able to reach Houston non stop for example.
Hopefully the A380s will be back.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I'm not sure that the A380 needs the extended runway to reach DXB. BHX had a one off flight several years before the extension, which went direct.
I do remember Airtours MD80's being weight restricted on longer flights (e.g. TFS) and requiring a fuel stop en-route as they couldn't operate full from the then runway length.
There are also other advantages. Aircraft which could operate from the previous runway length may not require such high thrust settings from the extended runway, An example of this, was some years ago when I flew LHR - LAX. This was before 9/11 and I got a flightdeck visit. I asked about the take-off and was told that due to LHR's runway length (I believe it's over 12000ft), the B747 only required 75% thrust. This has benefits in fuel economy, engine wear, emissions and noise levels.
Another advantage when using R33, departures can hold at holding points 'S1', 'E1' and 'C1' (I've seen this on numerous occasions). This gives the airport far more flexibility at busy times, with aircraft of different sizes. I do wish that the runway had some fast taxi turn-offs though.

Kevin

 

[HPsauce]

The A380 that visited originally was a one off to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of BHX. It was a crew only flight, so managed the old runway length without any problem. This was September 2009.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

The A380 that visited originally was a one off to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of BHX. It was a crew only flight, so managed the old runway length without any problem. This was September 2009.

That's not what I remember. From memory, it replaced a B777 (flights EK39/40) but bookings were only taken for a B777 passenger load in case the A380 didn't operate and had to be replaced by the usual scheduled aircraft. I was there to see it.
There were lots of rumours at the time that it would operate via LHR, but these were untrue. It operated direct from BHX to DXB with a very good passenger load. It landed R33, but departed R15.

Emirates brings A380 to Birmingham

On September 9 Emirates will operate its A380 superjumbo into Birmingham from Dubai, as part of the airport's 70th anniversary celebrations

www.businesstraveller.com

Kevin

 

[rollo]

Yes definitely a passenger flight I looked at booking it for the chance of experiencing the A380.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Here are a couple of my photos from the day, showing the runway length used -

Aircraft A6-EDE. EXIF data for the photos shows '09/09/2009'.

Kevin

 

[Brum X]

BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT SECURITY SCREENING INVESTMENT​

Customers flying out of Birmingham Airport are to benefit from a simpler, speedier security screening process from June 2024. 

This investment in the Next Generation Security system will achieve compliance with new Government standards as well as enabling greater numbers of customers to be processed more quickly at peak times. 

In its Master Plan published in 2018, Birmingham Airport outlined its aspiration to grow customer volumes from 13m a year (pre-pandemic) to around 18m by 2033. Its new security hall supports this expansion, which in turn will help drive economic growth in the West Midlands region. 

Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “This investment paves the way for a better customer experience and economic growth in the West Midlands. For these reasons, I’m excited about our Next-Generation Security system.” 


Read the full article here: https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...ingham-airport-security-screening-investment/

View attachment 26226

 

[JENNYJET]

Whilst no longer a flying traveller ( illness preventing cabin pressure changes in flight ) , I remain concerned about the overall passenger experience at BHX and how it compares with other comparable airports. My experience of BHX with the likes of CDG, LHR, AMS in Europe or NBO, CMB in the wider world amongst others lead me to believe that whilst BHX was the least stressful traversing, it was perhaps the most in need of expansion. The sense of space or the lack thereof, too many sharp elbows and people wandering or dawdling mindlessly in their own world leads to a desperate need for terminal space.

I understand airports are somewhat different from other transport terminals such as rail stations and sea ports, each with their own concerns over security and throughput but I contend that airports for the average traveller are somewhat different and impressions are singed upon the mind if something sours the experience.

Anything that improves matters is to be welcomed.

 

[Coathanger16]

BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT SECURITY SCREENING INVESTMENT​

Customers flying out of Birmingham Airport are to benefit from a simpler, speedier security screening process from June 2024. 

This investment in the Next Generation Security system will achieve compliance with new Government standards as well as enabling greater numbers of customers to be processed more quickly at peak times. 

In its Master Plan published in 2018, Birmingham Airport outlined its aspiration to grow customer volumes from 13m a year (pre-pandemic) to around 18m by 2033. Its new security hall supports this expansion, which in turn will help drive economic growth in the West Midlands region. 

Nick Barton, chief executive of Birmingham Airport, said: “This investment paves the way for a better customer experience and economic growth in the West Midlands. For these reasons, I’m excited about our Next-Generation Security system.” 


Read the full article here: https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...ingham-airport-security-screening-investment/

View attachment 26226

An in order to facilitate this, the front of Terminal 1/North Terminal will be remodelled:

View attachment 26309

PL/2022/01445/PPFL | Extension to front of terminal building, to be used primarily as vertical circulation space for airport security reconfiguration. |

publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk

 

[Brum X]

And what a mess, another bolt it on job, that will do.

🤐🤐🤐🤐🤐

 

[Matty_85]

Devil in the detail I think, I’ll wait to see materials etc.. glad it’s moving ahead. Do we know when the other phases will be restarted?

 

[Brum X]

Devil in the detail I think, I’ll wait to see materials etc.. glad it’s moving ahead. Do we know when the other phases will be restarted?

They are removing x 4 escalators and replacing with x 6 lifts and a stairwell.

Welcome to Britain, welcome to BHX where the airports are 💩💩💩💩 and the CEO gets a whopping bonus

😡😡😡😡😡😡

 

[Onlinespeedy]

I posted this originally in another forum but thought it would go well here too so enjoy my little rant 😂

From what I can see it’s just not good???? Okay A, from what I can see in the design statement they are removing the big skylight which architecturally is the nicest part of the airport and replacing it with much smaller and thin skylights. What???. B, they are removing 4 escalators and saying that 6 lifts and a new staircase will suffice?? C it just be lookin a bit ugly imo, the best bit about it is the canopy. Where are the windows? Why are we REMOVING natural light instead of EMBRACING IT???

it also seems to just be to check a legal box for new regulations set by the DFT regarding security and passenger circulation that come into force in 2024. God knows what they are planning inside. Birmingham airport have never covered themselves in glory when it comes to interior design let’s be real here, often being dark and dingy with no sort of longevity attached to it with on some occasions even looking dated from its unveiling. The best interior section of the airport being the international pier and even that needs some serious maintenance work. It’s all function no style. Why can’t British airports have both?

Also I want more information on what is happening to the monorail at this time as the monorail will get in the way of the terminal extension and the peoplemover won’t be done before 2024 so? 🫣 can someone convince me this is good please because I want it to be but it’s just not. 💀💀

Also please correct me if I’m wrong I’m not the most clued up person when it comes to trying to interpret planning applications I just feel quite strongly about this lol 😂 especially considering how good the departure lounge terminal extension is this is just baddd!!