Birmingham Airport - General Thread

[Brum X]

Birmingham Airport awarded grant funding of £1.4 million towards electric buses
Birmingham airport has been awarded £1.4m from the Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme administered by the Department for Transport (DfT) and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
The funding awarded will support the electrification of the airport’s landside bus fleet with ultra-low emission buses operating as a passenger transport service on all of the Airport car park routes.
The grant will partly fund the purchase of electric buses as well as the installation of dedicated bus charging infrastructure. The remaining investment, to achieve this infrastructure, will be made by Birmingham Airport.

Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham airport, said “Since 2012, the Airport has reduced its CO2 per passenger by 20% per passenger. This funding will support us in working towards lowering our CO2 per passenger even further which is just fantastic.”
“We have made significant customer service improvements across the Airport to increase capacity and improve passenger experience, with the vision of positioning Birmingham as Europe’s leading airport. The electric buses form part of this vision, not to mention their sustainability benefits being ultra-low emission.”
The airport is advanced in negotiations with a bus manufacturer and aims to have the necessary infrastructure works undertaken to commence the fully electric bus service in Autumn 2019.
The grant was announced at the UK Bus Summit in Westminster on Wednesday 6th February 19.

However i would much prefer to see BHX getting 1.4 million to get in some exciting new airlines, after all we are an AIRPORT and not a Bus station.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Different budgets but I agree that the marketing focus should continue - I'm sure that it is but quite how hampered they are by Brexit and a pending downturn in world economic activity I don't know. I'm absolutely all for electric buses (also for banning stationary taxis running diesel engines near pedestrians as part of the same theme) and it's surely prudent for any airport - which like it or not is a significant air polluter - to be seen to be doing this.

 

[smithy108]

More of a community story but again Nick Barton is involved with PR, definitely a shift over the past month or so with him raising his profile along with the airport. Good to see

BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT EMPLOYEES TAKE TO THE RUNWAY TO SUPPORT ACORNS CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

Birmingham Airport employees, friends and family came together to take part in a midnight run down the runway, in aid of the Airport’s charity partner Acorns Children’s Hospice.
More than 120 participants took part in the run, braving cold and wet conditions at just past midnight to tackle the three kilometres of the Airport’s runway, which was specifically closed for the charity run.
Between them, they raised more than £15,000 to help pay for the vital services Acorns provides to life-limited children and their families across the Midlands.

Birmingham Airport has been a long-time supporter of Acorns and has used the Airport infrastructure to raise funds before - back in 2016, 50 employees raised £12,000 in a 100-foot charity abseil from the roof of the Airport’s headquarters, Diamond House.
Andy Holding, Corporate Responsibility Manager at Birmingham Airport, said:
“We’ve partnered with Acorns Children’s Hospice for ten years and it’s a charity that’s become very close to the hearts of many of our employees. We knew people would be excited by the prospect of running the length of the runway – it’s not the sort of thing you get to do every day, after all.
“It costs Acorns £7,000 a day to run their services and with the money we’ve raised we can pay for two days care - something we’re extremely proud to be able to do. I would like to thank all those who took part and all those who supported them with their sponsorship.”
Amanda Smallman, Senior Fundraising Manager for Corporate and Community at Acorns, said: “What a fantastic donation! The Runway Run has to be one of the most unusual ways for supporters to raise money for Acorns – and in freezing temperatures too. The determination and commitment of participants is wonderful. Thank you to everyone who took part, this money will make a real difference to the children and families we support.
Airport CEO Nick Barton was joined on the runway by Richard Gill, who took the title of top fundraiser with an impressive total of £1,775, to hand over a cheque to Acorns Corporate Fundraising Manager Natalia Keene.
To find out how you could support Acorns, please visit www.acorns.org.uk

 

[Ray Finkle]

More of a community story but again Nick Barton is involved with PR, definitely a shift over the past month or so with him raising his profile along with the airport. Good to see

It's good to see him getting his face out there, something that Mr Kehoe seemed to excel at.

I'd like to see Mr Barton do an interview outlining his plans for the future. Maybe when he's got a few months under his belt we'll see something.

 

[BHXsupporter]

Pity they didn't specify the order in the photo. For those uniniatated can we be reminded please which of the two admirably attired gents is the CEO?

 

[Brummiegem]

Mr Barton is the one on the right.

 

[smithy108]

Nice touch, even if it is a bit cheesy...... push the product

LOVE IS IN THE AIR AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

To celebrate the day of love, passengers travelling through Birmingham Airport on Valentine’s Day were welcomed with an array of roses and personalised chocolates, as well as romance themed acrobat dancers - showcasing several performances throughout the terminal.
Lucky passengers arriving into Birmingham Airport on the 14th February were greeted with a roses and Cadbury chocolates, specially personalised, ‘With love from BHX’. Dancers added to the day’s romantic theatre, dressed in floral Valentine’s Day themed leotards, performing a series of showstopping acrobatic routines to entertain the passengers.
Siobhan and Ellie-May, passengers travelling to Dublin received a rose and personalised chocolates personally handed out by Birmingham Airport staff said: “Valentine’s Day… a great excuse to mix business with pleasure in Dublin’s fair city! We are feeling the love today at Birmingham Airport.”

Stuart Haseley-Nejrup, Head of Customer Experience at Birmingham Airport said: “A key focus for us this year, more than ever, is customer service and the ways in which we can improve the overall satisfaction of passengers that fly with us. We have already made significant investments across the Airport, investments which have been recognised with awards such as the most-family friendly Airport in the UK and Ireland.
“For us, the entire customer journey, from the very moment a passenger enters the Airport site, to the second they leave, is extremely important. Each touchpoint is key to ensuring customers have a positive experience - whether this be when they board their aircraft, when they collect their baggage, or when they arrive into immigration – each stage of their journey should be seamless, and a journey they remember for the right reasons.
Stuart went on to say: “Activities like this are exactly how we bring the Airport to life, placing our customers at the heart of everything we do. The atmosphere on the day was extraordinary, almost as extraordinary as passengers’ expressions as they came through the arrivals area! Creating a positive memorable experience is what we want to do and we’re happy we could utilise Valentine’s Day to put a smile on our customers’ faces.
“Looking forward to the rest of 2019, we will continue with the investment in customer experience, with the aim of making Birmingham one of Europe’s leading regional Airports.”

 

[rollo]

Cheesy yes but since Mr Barton appeared on the scene there appears a much more proactive approach which hopefully in time will carry through to new routes and increased frequency on existing services given his record at Luton etc.
BHX has been treading water at best for the last 18 month or so, fingers crossed.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Well after losing so many routes and airlines over the last 18 months or so I wonder if Mr Barton's first meeting went something like this

 

[rollo]

Lord Sugar and Michael O'Leary would be an interesting conversation if negotiating a deal, no prisoners taken?

 

[Jerry]

Interesting article from Mr Calder about BHX in comparison to LGW and MAN.
Though he does say that in any country that BHX would be considered a credit to it's region.
https://www.independent.co.uk/trave...k-gatwick-manchester-birmingham-a8792301.html

 

[Coathanger16]

Interesting article from Mr Calder about BHX in comparison to LGW and MAN.
Though he does say that in any country that BHX would be considered a credit to it's region.
https://www.independent.co.uk/trave...k-gatwick-manchester-birmingham-a8792301.html

Think the last paragraph sums BHX up nicely:

"The best strategy for David Wilson and the millions of other travellers for whom the ideal airport is BHX is to use the place – paying the higher fares and package prices. It won’t take long for the big operators to notice, and they will pile in with capacity to take advantage of the strong demand. In time, Birmingham might become the natural airport for travellers from the Midlands and beyond. But only if people decide to buy and fly local."

 

[smithy108]

Think the last paragraph sums BHX up nicely:

"The best strategy for David Wilson and the millions of other travellers for whom the ideal airport is BHX is to use the place – paying the higher fares and package prices. It won’t take long for the big operators to notice, and they will pile in with capacity to take advantage of the strong demand. In time, Birmingham might become the natural airport for travellers from the Midlands and beyond. But only if people decide to buy and fly local."

Its hard to argue with the statement but the reality will be, for many travellers, the price that's offered for comparable services. I live 35 minutes from Manchester Airport but always widen the search when booking any flight or holiday. The variances can be staggering and especially when travelling with the family.Its not just about BHX price differentials
I always look across all Midlands (BHX/EAM) and North West airports (MAN/LIV) and even include Leeds/Bradford as price differentials between Manchester and LBA can be massive

Its a bit of chicken and egg here. If the price differential is small then most people will chose their local airport but not if the difference is substantial. Travelling an additional hour or so, in any direction but saving large amounts of hard earned cash is too tempting regardless of any loyalty. Many people will accept less choice in flight times and frequencies but not when big price differences kick in.

Airlines may be quite happy to operate from BHX with less destinations and frequencies with good loads producing higher yields. Many airports are geographically close together and some of the lo cost airlines seem to be averse to putting existing services at risk by potentially starting alternative services to the same destination. However we have seen the opposite with the likes of Jet2 who see that the demand is there if the services and improved frequencies are offered.
There is no easy answer to the issue and the supply will only improve if the demand is there. Its a great sentiment but paying much higher prices won't create enough of an increase in passengers to warrant extra services. BHX has to have a strong product and play on the strength of the local service offer as the airport of natural choice with great transport links for anyone travelling within a couple of hours.

Airport experience satisfaction surveys regularly rate BHX much higher than MAN and other London airports so lets build on that and get people through the door. Its vital that the management have strong aspiration and develop the facilities on a continuing basis and not get left behind. The MAN experience can be very poor at busy times but the £1 billion transformation is well under way so BHX advantage may evaporate very soon.

Plenty of challenges ahead but we should focus on the strengths and build on them. Barton and his team must be allowed to push forward without continued obstacles placed in their path. Only then, will we be able to judge their success. Everyone is more than aware that new airlines and new routes doesn't happen overnight so lets give them some time. The current year is the transition year with 2020 and beyond having some great potential

 

[Coathanger16]

It is a bit of a chicken and the egg scenario.

Many passengers will prefer to use other airports as the flights there are cheaper, but prices at BHX won't come down until there is more competition, which won't happen unless new airlines use BHX or existing airlines launch routes to compete with each other, which won't happen unless more passengers use BHX.

Just did a few searches for various summer getaways comparing prices from MAN, BHX & LTN. 90% of the time MAN or LTN came out cheapest, but equally most of the time the most expensive flights were actually from the same airport. BHX was usually somewhere in the middle.

Travel habits are so ingrained into people that they are very hard to change, especially when it comes to long haul. Recently had to organise a flight back from Australia for a family member at short notice (was actually the morning of the day of the flight they caught). They and my parents looked at flights back to Heathrow and Manchester but didn't consider using BHX. I checked the prices and it was actually cheaper for them to use Qatar back to BHX which they did end up using - but only because I (someone relatively in the know about aviation) suggested it to them.

A big part of BHX's problem is the "Oh, I didn't know you could fly there from BHX" issue. Changing travel agent habits is one step, but many people book flights themselves and will just look at Heathrow or Manchester for long haul. Perhaps flight search websites could change their search from "Airport A" to "Airport B", to "Enter your postcode" to "Destination/Airport" and then the search results would be listed in order of distance from postcode. Even if their closest airport wasn't the cheapest, it might help to raise awareness of where they could actually fly to from their local airport.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Last year I spoke to a lady who is a regular traveller to Dubai. She told me that her Dad books her flights for her and she always uses LHR, when I asked why she said 'it's cheaper'. On some occasions the price difference could be as little as £50, when I pointed out that she'd probably spend much more than that on travel/parking/hotels etc it appeared that this was something had never occurred to her before. I think they are just ingrained to look at Heathrow.

I've mentioned before that three people in our office are off to Florida this year. Two families are using LGW and one is using MAN. When I asked why they didn't use Birmingham two replied that 'you can't fly to America from Birmingham' with the other saying that their family saved over £1000 by using MAN.

It's only anecdotal evidence but it shows what a tough task lies ahead.

The longer destinations such as New York remain unserved the more travellers will get used to using other airports and getting some of them back may not be an easy task.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Bristol has a smaller catchment than BHX but is broadly the same distance from LHR. So many people from the South West have become used to travelling via LHR that it would be next to impossible to recapture many of them even if Bristol had long haul. It's a chicken and egg situation.

Mrs Yokel and I fly to Australia each year. Last year I looked at the new Qatar service from CWL to Doha, with CWL being the closest ME airport to where we live. Cost from there was competitive so that wasn't an issue. For us the issue was timing and the length of the changeover period at Doha.

With LHR's many daily flights to the ME we were able to choose one (with Emirates, our usual carrier) that didn't mean getting up at stupid o'clock in the UK, didn't entail 7-8 hours on the ground at an ME airport, and enabled us to connect onto a flight that arrived in Oz in the early evening, instead of six in the morning which meant we'd have to stay up all day shattered after a flight from the UK.

I accept this sort of consideration might apply mainly to what I'd call ultra long haul (to the other side of the world) and perhaps it would not be a consideration for some people, but it's one of the many reasons why people often oft for LHR instead of their local airport. If Qatar had been operating from BRS, our nearest airport, instead of CWL at the same frequency, days and timings, I think we would still have gone via LHR - for the reasons I outlined earlier.

Sorry to go off the BHX piste to a degree but our thinking might well apply to some who live within the BHX catchment.

 

[JENNYJET]

LHR is a great place for me as a plane nut but not as a passenger..And not always best for direct flights.

I had a journey to Mombasa and was told it would be nonstop. The flight was excellent on a A310 yet it landed at Nairobi and was directed onto a B732 for onward passage adding 4 additional traveling hours.

Unusually the return to UK was nonstop from Mombasa again on A310. It was also the smoothest flight on the Airbus.

However whilst in Kenya I noticed Air France, Swiss Air {as it was } and Lufthansa aircraft on stopover for South Africa. All carriers available from BHX yet was not offered the option but given Kenya Airways ex LHR.

I am hoping the future of BHX my see more options being offered to travelers that avoid the risky journey on our motorways and missed flights that follow.

I really should not have to ask agents for a BHX departure and now with internet one can. Just my opinion but travelers can and should insist upon their local facility whenever possible and not always put a price on everything. Headline price v. Overall price?

 

[GliderPilot]

I do however remember a when me and my family went to Mexico with TUI a couple of years ago, the fare for holiday on the exact same departure dates was that much cheaper from Gatwick it was still cheaper to drive down to Gatwick and park the car in one of the airport car parks for a week. I couldn't believe it.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Interesting words from Baroness Kramer.......

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/la...ternative-airport-expansions/10040885.article

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat Baroness Susan Kramer added: “I think there are other airports where you could look [at expansion].

“I personally think that Birmingham is most ideal. Birmingham wants it and there is not local opposition to it because of the way it can be designed to have minimal impact on people. And we are going to get HS2 which means it [will be] 38 minutes from the terminal at Birmingham Airport into Euston.

“If you start thinking more broadly about the whole way that modern transport is being put together, the need to put a third runway in the middle of the most crowded intensely populated part of the country suddenly does not make a whole lot of sense.”

 

[Coathanger16]

“If you start thinking more broadly about the whole way that modern transport is being put together, the need to put a third runway in the middle of the most crowded intensely populated part of the country suddenly does not make a whole lot of sense.”

This is an issue of Hub vs Point to Point airports, and I must say I am very much in the "UK needs a hub airport" camp. That means either expanding Heathrow or closing it and replacing it with a purpose built airport or massively expanding another airport (Stansted being the most likely contender).

You can market how quick it will be to get to London from BHX once HS2 is complete, but BHX will still be having to compete with at least 6 other airports for London traffic, 4 of which have larger networks than BHX.

Birmingham Airport is called that because it primarily serves the city of Birmingham funnily enough. Even with HS2, you'd have to offer huge (probably unsustainable) incentives to turn BHX into London Birmingham Airport.