Birmingham Airport - General Thread

[Karl C]

Two day strike I believe by cabin crew

 

[AdamHussain07]

Anyone know why Lufthansa are cancelling so many Frankfurt flights recently?.

I would believe it is due to the pilot strikes going on in Germany?

 

[pianokeys]

As well as the comments in the Qatar thread there is also the impact of the jet fuel price which has increased over 100% since last month. Most airlines will have ‘hedged’ their fuel contracts going forward and will be protected for now, but if they remain elevated which they very well may do given damage to infrastructure in the ME, even after hostilities cease, could our airlines review the profitability of their current services to BHX ? A number of loadfactors like Zurich, IofM and Aberdeen are not great currently. Airports also must be getting a little twitchy right now. Could there be more suspensions to come ? BHX has a good spread of airlines which needs to be nurtured. Wishes of new services and expansion are perhaps a bit off beat at the moment.

 

[Jon Dempsey]

We are in Greater Brisbane at the moment. We were due to fly via Dubai, but cancelled and rebooked via Guangzhou which is only 160 KM's from Hong Kong.

The flight timings were more comfortable being 12 hours + 8 hours rather than 7.5 hours + 15 hours.

If there is sufficient volume from Brum to Asia/Australasia, there seems to be an opportunity for Cathay Pacific.

 

[jfy1999]

Interesting! Did you fly Guangzhou-Heathrow or to BHX via a European hub?

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Interesting! Did you fly Guangzhou-Heathrow or to BHX via a European hub?

We flew from Heathrow as it was only 1 1/2 hours journey.

Disappointed by T4, it was cramped, under redevelopment and not as clean as the last time I flew from there.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk...io-with-birmingham-airport-cleaning-contract/

Birmingham Airport recruits commercial boss and travel trade executive

Matt Hazelwood and Tobias Morter join as part of ‘ambitious growth strategy’

travelweekly.co.uk

 

[Ray Finkle]

EDIT. Realised I quoted the wrong post, it should have been the link below about cleaning

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/latest-news/churchill-expands-aviation-portfolio-with-birmingham-airport-cleaning-contract/

Lets hope the state of the toilets improves. I've always found those along the pier acceptable but the ones by Wetherspoons can be horrific.

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

Hi everyone.

Does anyone know when the Masterplan gets released for bhx. Thanks

 

[rollo]

Hi everyone.

Does anyone know when the Masterplan gets released for bhx. Thanks

From memory it due out for public consultation this summer detailing the airports plans up to 2040. I presume it follows on from the current plan which runs to 2029 and the projected 18million passengers per annum target.

Wouldn't be surprised to see dates go back or put on hold given the current uncertainty.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, after just looking at an overall view of Birmingham airport, I know why Birmingham airport isn't handling tens to hundreds of thousands of more passengers, because it made the costly decision of closing its 2nd, Shorter runway. Instead of maintaining it along side of main runway, closing it has cost it dearly, that was keoghs mistake, now the airports paying for that failure. If I were one of the minority shareholders in Maquire group, I would be looking at repairing and reopening it.

Also looking at getting the tunnel under the A45 sorted now, then use a45 extension road for other usage

 

[Nethercote2019]

Andrew there are a few obstacles in the way of the old runway 06/24
And what aircraft would use the 4000 ft runway ?

 

[mullion]

I remember landing on the cross runway from Manchester on a C172 G-AWGW and then departing to East Midlands in my youth

 

[nwoody2001]

Hi there all, after just looking at an overall view of Birmingham airport, I know why Birmingham airport isn't handling tens to hundreds of thousands of more passengers, because it made the costly decision of closing its 2nd, Shorter runway. Instead of maintaining it along side of main runway, closing it has cost it dearly, that was keoghs mistake, now the airports paying for that failure. If I were one of the minority shareholders in Maquire group, I would be looking at repairing and reopening it.

Also looking at getting the tunnel under the A45 sorted now, then use a45 extension road for other usage

I know im going to regret answer this but i cant help myself....

Andrew, please answer the following:

- how is a 1,300m Runway (smaller than runways at likes of London City and Southampton) which is too short for 90% of jets that and can barely handle an ATR72 or Q400 meant to add hundreds of thousands of passengers?

- how is a runway which crosses our main runway and can not run independently of our main runway meant to add capacity?

- how does London Gatwick manage to carry 3x amount of passengers BHX does but also on a single runway?

 

[thunderchild]

Where to start! Aside from anything else, closing down the smaller runway has actually resulted in MORE passengers as it allowed for more stands to be built which in turn gave way for more aircraft to be based.

Also, a quick google suggests the small runway was decommissioned in January 2008 and Paul Kehoe didn’t arrive at BHX until October 2008 so not sure that one can be blamed on him either.

Look at how many passengers were using BHX in 2008 compared to today - the difference is over 4 million!

 

[Birmingham Aviation]

To extend the runway to 2 .You would have to get of Solihull moors(My club) golf course ,Get rid of JLR car park damson parkway side and make a tunnel for the A45

 

[IanFarquharson]

Hi there all, after just looking at an overall view of Birmingham airport, I know why Birmingham airport isn't handling tens to hundreds of thousands of more passengers, because it made the costly decision of closing its 2nd, Shorter runway. Instead of maintaining it along side of main runway, closing it has cost it dearly, that was keoghs mistake, now the airports paying for that failure. If I were one of the minority shareholders in Maquire group, I would be looking at repairing and reopening it.

Also looking at getting the tunnel under the A45 sorted now, then use a45 extension road for other usage

The old 06/24 runway has been built on.
And a runway at 90 degress to our full length runway would add no value at all.
The only thing I would add is that 06/24 is a much better direction than 15/33 so maybe BHX should have extended the 24 end all those years ago before the industrial estate was built, I am sure the railway line could have been sunk a bit.
I still say now that the industrial estate should be used for future development.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Birmingham will host the 2026 European Athletics Championships (first time in the UK) and BHX will be the sponsor. Nice bit of exposure

Birmingham Airport has been announced as the Official Airport of the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, marking a significant partnership that will support the delivery of one of the biggest sporting events this summer.

Set to take place at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, the European Athletics Championships will be hosted in the UK for the very first time, representing a landmark moment for athletics. Birmingham Airport’s involvement reflects its strong commitment to supporting major events in the West Midlands and playing a central role in welcoming athletes, officials, and spectators from across Europe and beyond.

As a key international gateway to the region, Birmingham Airport will help facilitate the smooth arrival and departure of thousands of visitors, ensuring a warm and efficient welcome to the city. The partnership underscores the airport’s dedication to enhancing the region’s global connectivity and showcasing the West Midlands on an international stage.

The collaboration highlights the shared ambition between Birmingham Airport and the event organisers to create a memorable and successful European Athletics Championships, while also driving economic and cultural benefits for the region.

Cherry Alexander, Championship Director for Birmingham 2026, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Birmingham Airport as the Official Airport for the European Athletics Championships Birmingham 2026. As the first point of arrival for many of our athletes and guests, the airport plays a crucial role in setting the tone for their experience in the city and region.

“This partnership ensures we can deliver a seamless and welcoming journey from the moment visitors arrive, while also showcasing Birmingham and the West Midlands as a world-class destination for major international events.”

Richard Gill, Commercial Director at Birmingham Airport, commenting on the partnership said:

“This is a great accolade for the city of Birmingham; to host the European Athletic Championships in our hometown and we are delighted to be the Official Airport for the Championships.

“The majority of the athletes will arrive at BHX, and we are ready to give them the best welcome to the region and wish them all the luck in the competition.”

https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/latest-news/birmingham-airport-announced-as-official-airport-of-the-birmingham-2026-european-athletics-championships/

To book and find out more about this summer’s championships, visit Get Tickets | Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships – 10‑16 August