Birmingham Airport - General Thread

[Land23R]

In order to meet "NATIONAL" targets Howard Davies made it very clear in his report that regional airports "might" be expected to see a reduction to protect Heathrow. It is there in black and white but is buried in a single line at the back of the report , as was the need to underwrite the whole project to give investors "that degree of confidence" that they wont lose their money if it goes belly up.
Two incredibly important points completely transparent to MPs and the BBC.

I'd mentioned that first point elsewhere and was beginning to think I'd imagined when nobody had seemed to pick it up.

CO2 emissions from regional airports for long haul services bad, but feeder domestic flights to LHR to support more long haul services from there good.

I'm amazed Davies wasn't taken to task more for some of his claims and conclusions. And then there was the Gatwick traffic forecast fiasco. Too late now. MPs had their chance; now it's down to legal challenges or possibly a change of government.

 

[Coathanger16]

The CO2 point is an interesting one. The Committee on Climate Change has said a "demand growth of around 60% on 2005 levels is compatible with keeping aviation emissions to 2005 levels".

Based upon where LHR, MAN and BHX were in 2005, that would allow for the following passengers:

LHR ~109mppa (39% bigger than 2017)
MAN ~36mppa (29% bigger than 2017)
BHX ~16mppa (23% bigger than 2017)

Based upon LHR having a third runway & increasing passengers to 130mppa, by my calculations MAN and BHX would have to be capped around 25mppa and 10.5mppa respectively - both less than now.

Essentially from 2005 levels, the UK is 'allowed' 137mppa more than 2005. By 2017 the UK had grown by ~56mppa or 40% of that allowance leaving ~80.5mppa which I divided equally between the remaining airports.

It is worth pointing out however than LHR is unlikely to be able to achieve 109mppa with just 2 runways. Currently the average load per movement is 164. To handle 109mppa with the existing capacity of 2 runways, that load would have to increase to 226.

All of this is based on all sectors in the UK reducing their emissions to achieve an overall reduction of 80% by 2050, however I believe it is based upon still having some fossil fuel based cars 'in service'. When you see that Norway is banning fossil fuel cars from 2025, if the UK were to do the same it would allow aviation to have a larger 'carbon budget' which may allow more than a 60% increase on 2005 passenger levels thus eliminating the need for 'regional' airports to be capped at levels lower than today.

It is also worth pointing out that based upon 60% growth from 2005 levels, both Luton and London City have grown by more than this - 75% and 127% respectively - so how much notice is the government really going to take? If LHR does expand will they really cap or even reduce the number of passengers allowed at other airports?

 

[hay677]

Next thursday marks the first anniversary of BHX becoming leaderless.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Next thursday marks the first anniversary of BHX becoming leaderless.

Although we don't know what is going on behind the scenes it really seems such a crazy situation.

 

[IanFarquharson]

It is actually 18 months as PK gave 6 months notice
So 18 months to find a replacement !

 

[58terminus]

It is actually 18 months as PK gave 6 months notice
So 18 months to find a replacement !

Blimey.Maybe they should consult the Blues recruitment dept. After all they we have found 5 people
to take the top job in that time. Maybe Arry is looking for a a change of direction?

 

[BHXsupporter]

Flights to India - a possibility for BHX with Vistara 787s in the future?

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vistara-commits-to-13-a320neos-six-787-9s-450097/

 

[thunderchild]

Interesting given @Kevin Farnell ’s recent comments;

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...reated-unacceptably-at-four-major-uk-airports

 

[Ray Finkle]

The airport is getting a social media hammering for the Tweet stating there will be no viewing option for when the England team returns tomorrow. Even Birmingham Live has ran a one sided article only showing the criticisms.

What people don't seem to understand is that the decision not to make is fuss has not been made by the airport but by the England team and/or the FA. I'm sure that if they had decided to hold some sort of reception the airport would have been only too happy to oblige. Still, why let the truth get in the way of a good story eh?

Personally I don't think that their return merits a special event but I think that I'm definitely in the minority there

 

[thunderchild]

Indeed. If the FA wanted all the pomp and ceremony for their return they’d be flying back to Heathrow!

 

[Ianbutty]

Wish people would learn how to do some research before coming to conclusions. What time is it due?

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there Ray and all, of course thunderchild is spot, if the England football team were flying back into Heathrow instead, then the situation would be completely different, but as it is a regional airport like Birmingham, then you can understand why. Coming from the FA side, as England failed to get to the final, then that's the view from them, but with all the build up of how England had progressed through the tournament, the FA aren't interested in second best, just first placed and winning. So the FA don't feel that a home coming is appropriate, because they haven't won anything, me personally I feel that England had achieved a lot in the world cup, by their progression in the tournament, whereas prior to the tournament starting, the way they had played didn't give the impression that they weren't going to get anywhere at all, but they have, one their first semi final penalty shoot out, whereas before they had failed. Unfortunately the airport has to abide and accept what the FA decides and not go behind their backs. But that still won't stop the thousands and thousands who will turn up tomorrow. This will be a egg in the face of the FA in the way they have reacted.. Andyc

 

[Brummiegem]

These flights tend to use the general aviation side of the airport. Is this the reason why the airport authority don't want loads of people to invade that area?
It would make sense to me, as there is nowhere to actually view the arrival other than the car park, and we all know why they wouldn't want more people than usual using this facility.

 

[Aviador]

Netflights.com has ranked Birmingham Airport top of the list first position for excellence for family friendliness. Well done BHX!!!

Here are the 20 major airports in the UK, Ireland and Channel Islands, ranked by family-friendliness:

1. Birmingham: 8.7/10
2. Jersey: 8.1/10
3. London Gatwick: 7.8/10
4. London Heathrow: 7.8/10
5. Cork: 7.3/10
6. Dublin: 7/10
7. Glasgow: 6.7/10
8. Edinburgh: 6.4/10
9. Newcastle: 6.4/10
10. London Luton: 6.1/10
11. London Stansted: 5.5/10
12. Liverpool John Lennon: 5.2/10
13. Bristol: 5.2/10
14. Cardiff: 4.9/10
15. Manchester: 4.9/10
16. East Midlands: 4.6/10
17. Southampton: 4.4/10
18. London City: 4.4/10
19. Belfast International: 3.8/10
20. Leeds Bradford: 3.2/10

#bhx #proudaboutbhx #shoutaboutbhx #bhxrocks

 

[Brum X]

Indeed, Well done BHX

 

[Ray Finkle]

I'm always slightly wary about these kind of rankings, there will be another one in a month or two that has Birmingham towards the bottom. Having said that I find BHX very family friendly although I'm sure that there are others that will disagree.

My kids are looking forwards to trying out the new and improved Sky Zone in two weeks

Schools Out: Families Meet Zoom & the SKY Cadets at the new look SkyZone

 

[richard winterbourn]

Well done BHX! At the end of the day it IS an industry award and something the airport should both be proud of and want to shout it from the rooftops. But will they????

Although there is a news item about Skyzone,there is currently no specific mention of the award on the airport website. But if it is a new award it is best to give them a little time to push it through their PR/Publicity department.

But i would expect them to bang the drum pretty soon, the news is out there in the community. Good news like this needs to be pushed in front of families as quickly as possible.

Remember, summer holiday are already paid for: it is the winter holidays that will be on the horizon soon and if Brum is the friendliest airport for families then that information should be before them now...

 

[Aviador]

I'm always slightly wary about these kind of rankings, there will be another one in a month or two that has Birmingham towards the bottom. Having said that I find BHX very family friendly although I'm sure that there are others that will disagree.

My kids are looking forwards to trying out the new and improved Sky Zone in two weeks

Schools Out: Families Meet Zoom & the SKY Cadets at the new look SkyZone

Some of the things they rated the airport on was free drinking water fountains and Wi-Fi.

The availability of play areas for children of all ages.

BHX also was noted for having plenty of areas for baby changing and breastfeeding facilities.

Families using security fast-track don't have to pay for under 5s to use the facility.

It was also noted the airport’s parking and drop-off is free for 30 minutes.

80% of flights left on time last when the survey was carried out.

 

[58terminus]

Although there is a news item about Skyzone,there is currently no specific mention of the award on the airport website.

And this surprises you?They could do with bringing in some of kids to run their website

 

[Aceshigh]

Having still not appointed a CEO does anybody know who us in actually charge in terms of final decisions.

It's seems a very peculiar situation.