Birmingham: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[andyc941]

Yes thunderchild is right why dont they extend it right down the remote stands.If there are travelator in place it will not be much of a problem to passengers.Good luck BHX if the plans happen in the future 😉

 

[Jon Dempsey]

There would need to be a lot of reorganisation inside as the corridor behind the new pier gets choked enough when pax are queueing for the individial departure lounges.

 

[thunderchild]

Palma De Mallorca has some of the longest walkways ever. Oh gosh, they are long.

Can't argue with that, I swear the transfer to the resort was quicker than the walk from the plane!

 

[Ray Finkle]

There would need to be a lot of reorganisation inside as the corridor behind the new pier gets choked enough when pax are queueing for the individial departure lounges.

That's a very good point. If this is being developed with a low cost base in mind then you have to assume there would be a high passenger volume. There looks to be plenty of room to extend the departure lounge eastwards giving valuable extra space. A walkway accessing the new pier could then be built at the far end.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all , as I have said before, if kehoe and Co want airlines to start and build a base more permanently at Birmingham , then he's going to have do alot more convincing, than what he's already done at present to get norweign airshuttle to start flights, as well as easyjet are another airline that needs alot of convincing. But as well as that, we all know that the airport has got to forget about this take or leave it attitude, otherwise airlines won't want to know, what kehoe and his team need to do, is offer alot more flexibility, that way an airline knows where both stand...andyc

 

[jfy1999]

We need to attract the airlines first before we start adding more capacity. Current passenger numbers would have to consistently rise and our services from RYR/NAX etc. considerably increase, before we consider building a dedicated LCC pier. So far the Eurohub works well as a host for budget carriers although I agree that it needs a lot of modernising.

If this does come to fruition, I think that it would be better for us to emulate STN and have a satellite pier in place of the remote stands, alongside that proposed LCC walkway, although that would raise the issue of where aircraft park when they aren't being used.

There is also the issue of what our various budget carriers want to provide for their passengers. Norwegian and Easyjet currently prefer using the International Pier, which has air bridges, but I believe Ryanair and Flybe don't use air bridges. The Eurohub air bridges are all retrofitted with stairs to the apron as a result.

Would the new extension have air bridges for EZY and NAX to use, assuming that their BHX operations grew enough in the first place, or have none so that RYR would want to use it too?

 

[Brum X]

Flybe do use airbridges, most of the E175s and E195s use the airbridges, the Turboprops dont though that Flybe use.

 

[jfy1999]

I suppose Flybe wouldn't move from the Eurohub if the new walkway was built.

 

[jfy1999]

There have been a couple of BHX smuggling incidents recently. This time it was a Burger King employee caught trying to sneak 50,000 cigarettes through customs.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apparently the planning app for the new Radisson Blu hotel has now been submitted 🙂

I've looked on the Solihull Council site but the documents don't seem to be up yet. Hopefully they'll be added soon.

 

[Brum X]

Apparently the planning app for the new Radisson Blu hotel has now been submitted 🙂

I've looked on the Solihull Council site but the documents don't seem to be up yet. Hopefully they'll be added soon.

Its going to be 10 storeys high :hatsoff:

 

[Ray Finkle]

Looking at the Solihull MBC site it appears as if new applications are added on Mondays so hopefully we won't have too long to wait before we can see it 🙂

 

[jfy1999]

Another top brand for our passengers to choose from :s_thumbsup
Anyone got a CGI of what it will look like?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I've just had a look and there still doesn't seem to be anything on the Solihull MBC site.

 

[jfy1999]

Has anyone here used any of BHX's hotels before? If so, how do they compare with those at other airports and which of those at BHX would you say is best?

 

[Jon Dempsey]

I have used the ETAP once. Does what it says on the tin and you can get a decent meal next door at the Ibis.

I have used the Hilton at Gatwick and did a job at the Meridien at Heathrow, but they are not comparable.

I have stayed at the Metropole a couple of times and that compares favourably with the Hilton & Meridien.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't live far from the airport so have never stayed over myself but I guess it depends on your budget.

I've heard good things about the Novotel from people I know who have stayed there, it's also the closest hotel to the terminals. I've been inside the NEC Hilton a few times and it's a nice hotel although prices can be high, especially when major events are on.

If you are on a budget though I don't think you can go wrong with a Travelodge. Whenever I've used them it has been basic but you get a clean room, comfortable bed and hot shower, which is pretty much all I require. You can also get some good prices if you book far enough in advance :good:

 

[Jon Dempsey]

Exactly Ray, if you book early enough, you can get some excellent deals.

 

[nwoody2001]

Interestingly on the airports website, they state they have the following hotels on-site

-Novotel (4*)
- Ibis (2*)
- Etap (Budget) - Though im sure these were re-branded as Ibis Budget hotels
- Travelodge (Budget)

but right next to the Travelodge is the Holiday Inn, a 3* hotel but is not listed on the airports website?? any ideas why?

 

[Ray Finkle]

No idea but it does seem odd considering the Holiday Inn is next door and it is known as 'Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport' :s_dunno

If anything with the free shuttle bus they offer it's way more convenient to get to than the Travelodge.