Birmingham: (BHX) - General Thread

[jfy1999]

I agree too, but where the cars will go if that happens remains to be seen.

Could a multi-storey car park, hypothetically, be built over the top of the railway?

 

[Ray Finkle]

I believe the patch of waste ground currently dubbed the NEC West Car Park has long been earmarked for airport parking?

 

[jfy1999]

I've finished my drawing of the International Pier.

 

[Ray Finkle]

That's fantastic mate.

You should send a picture to Mr K.

Before all the redevelopment work my sister had two paintings up at BHX, I remember one was just after security. This was quite a few years ago though and I have no idea if they're still there but maybe they'd be interested in displaying yours.

 

[Brummiegem]

I believe the patch of waste ground currently dubbed the NEC West Car Park has long been earmarked for airport parking?

This area has been used as a car park for airport staff for about 18 months to 2 years now.
However when one of the larger events such as crufts,horse of the year show or the spring fair,is on staff are then moved back into the main long stay car park for the duration of the event.
I could say more about the car parking arrangement for staff,not all good unfortunately,but probably best to move on.
As someone who drives but does use public transport from time to time I have to say the 24hr 97 service has had it's uses and I hope it continues.It has proved to be quite reliable.
Bearing that in mind with Resorts World just a matter of weeks away from opening,public transport could become a major focus particularly with staff.With the various shift patterns and staggered opening hours of the different units I wonder what the long term plan will be for serving the NEC complex as a whole?
My main concern is the train service,mainly on a Sunday morning or lack of one to be precise.
This also affects passengers and staff for the airport as well so is relevant in the ultimate scheme of things.
This is an area that will be closely monitored by a lot of people in the coming months.I just hope the whole project doesn't become a huge white elephant as a lot hope and money is riding on this venture being successful.

 

[Ray Finkle]

I went up to get some photos this morning and had a walk through downstairs on my way, it was heaving.

Very long queues for both United and American and the Monarch area was bursting. The Hainan check in was what's best describes as organised chaos, I don't know about a full 767 as it seemed like there was enough people to fill a 777 Thomas Cook were using the Emirates check in area so I don't know what it's going to be like next week when EK will be using it.

T2 was similar with long queues for both Thomson and Flybe.

On my way back T2 was still very busy but T1 had eased a little. The Monarch area was all but empty but the Ryanair queues were building and there was a long line at the Turkish Airlines desks. What was pleasing though is that Norwegian had a long queue at their desks and Vueling (who were checking in next to Turkish) had a queue stretching back to the Emirates check in area. Both flights were for Barcelona

Great to see and long may it continue :good:

 

[jfy1999]

I went up to get some photos this morning and had a walk through downstairs on my way, it was heaving.

Very long queues for both United and American and the Monarch area was bursting. The Hainan check in was what's best describes as organised chaos, I don't know about a full 767 as it seemed like there was enough people to fill a 777 Thomas Cook were using the Emirates check in area so I don't know what it's going to be like next week when EK will be using it.

Add a full 777 to that lot and the mind boggles. I really think we need expansion very soon if this goes on or BHX will start getting complaints that it's too crowded!
I don't know where people get the idea that BHX can handle 18m passengers a year, it would mean every day would be twice as busy as this one! :s_omg

T2 was similar with long queues for both Thomson and Flybe.

On my way back T2 was still very busy but T1 had eased a little. The Monarch area was all but empty but the Ryanair queues were building and there was a long line at the Turkish Airlines desks. What was pleasing though is that Norwegian had a long queue at their desks and Vueling (who were checking in next to Turkish) had a queue stretching back to the Emirates check in area. Both flights were for Barcelona

I seem to have been completely wrong with my guess that Norwegian would kill Vueling, or vice versa. Now I'm pleased I was wrong... :whiteflag:
Ryanair numbers seem to be good on the BHX routes that they do have, so why aren't we seeing anything more from them? They have bases at a load of airports that would be so welcome as destinations here.

Great to see and long may it continue :good:

And here's to future expansion, as we're going to need it the way things are going! :drinks:

 

[Ray Finkle]

If I can get up early enough I might go again tomorrow morning, just to see how chaotic it is

 

[Ray Finkle]

I had another walk through to the viewing area this morning. There was a decent queue at the Emirates desks first thing. On the way back this queue was even longer which is a good sign. What was very encouraging though is that all of the chauffeur drive car parking spaces were full with a couple more cars waiting, hopefully a sign that loads up front are healthy.

Thomas Cook had moved to the desks next to United and it seemed to be working okay.

Huge queue for United again and an even longer queue for American.

Again Norwegian had a huge queue which isn't great in that little corner.

I also forgot to mention yesterday that the ticket desk next to the Turkish desk is being fitted out and currently has hoardings around it. Anybody fancy a guess who it's for?

 

[jfy1999]

I also forgot to mention yesterday that the ticket desk next to the Turkish desk is being fitted out and currently has hoardings around it. Anybody fancy a guess who it's for?

Must be Wizz Air. :s_yes

 

[Brum X]

Hopefully Norweigan Air Shuttle :smile:


Do American already have one ????

 

[Ray Finkle]

American don't have their own at the moment, they have a sign up at their handling agents desk.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Final Master Plan to be released next year :good:

From the ACC

The Airport Master Plan was published in 2007 and, in accordance with
government guidance, there is a requirement that it be updated to reflect current
policy, latest passenger forecasts and the infrastructure requirements of the
Airport. As an initial step, work has now commenced on passenger forecasts for
the next 25. Once complete, these will provide the basis for assessments of how
and where development might be accommodated. The plan will take into account
the views of all relevant stakeholders, including the ACC, prior to the publication
of a final document next year. Updates and a more detailed report on the Master
Plan will be brought to ACC as the process develops.

 

[thunderchild]

Tomorrow mornings arrivals for little old BHX

 

[Ray Finkle]

That's not looking too bad is it? I think there may even be one or two more added to that over the next 18 months or so :smile:

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Tomorrow mornings arrivals for little old BHX

Unfortunately, today's UA27 is cancelled (anyone know why?) and HU7949 is running over 3 hours late.

Kevin

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray and all, regarding growth at Birmingham airport in the coming years, if heathrow does get the all clear for its 3rd runway, we all know that there will be a public enquiry which could take 5 years,but then once the public enquiry ends and the all clear is given to heathrow to start work on its 3rd runway
so, in that time then Birmingham really needs to do its homework regarding new routes and passenger growth and get that extra business it needs, because kehoe keeps stating that Birmingham can handle up to 27 million passengers , unfortunately with only one runway, Birmingham would not be able to handle or deal with that number at all, so if kehoe is that serious about what Birmingham could handle, then he seriously needs to start pushing for that 2nd runway now and build it in the right place ,adjacent to the existing one and not miles away by the M42 junction where it was planned ..Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

I don't know, Gatwick managed over 38mppa last year off one runway? Obviously improvements to increase the usage rate would be needed but 27mppa should be achievable.

As for another runway unfortunately BHX is hemmed in on three sides by dense residential estates so it would be practically impossible to build one alongside. The two options are either south west towards Catherine-De-Barnes or south east by the HS2 stop. South west was the original option but there is only room to build a short runway and the residents of the villages in the vicinity are seasoned campaigners with the will, and the funds, to see off any planning app. Aiming for another runway towards the south east minimises protests from local villages and has the advantage of the terminal being connected to the HS2 station.

Now LHR has been selected as the preferred option I don't think we'll see a second runway at BHX in our lifetimes, unless the PM goes against the recommendations of the Commission and expands the regions instead which is very unlikely.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there ray, fully understand what you say about Gatwick, you say that 27 million is achievable at Birmingham, how, if you take last year's increase of 585,000, it would take upto thirty years at that consistent rate year after to get to 21,700,000. So that would be by the year of 2045, if Birmingham were to reach 27 million by then, and who knows which airports had been closed or new super airports had been built in there place, I still say,that even though Boris Johnsons thames estuary has been halted at the moment, I can still see something like that being built in the future ,look what the Turkish government have agreed to do to Istanbul airport .. Andyc

 

[Ray Finkle]

Apologies I think I got the wrong end of the stick. When you said 'get 27 million pax off one runway' I thought you meant physically rather than commercially.