Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport
Name	Birmingham Airport
IATA	BHX
ICAO	EGBB
Owner	West Midlands Combined Authority
Operator	Birmingham Airport Holdings Limited
City-served	Birmingham, West Midlands (county)
Location	Bickenhill, Solihull
Elevation-f	327
Elevation-m	100
Coordinates	52, 27, 14, N...
Website	https://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/
R1-number	15/33
R1-length-m	3,052
R1-length-f	10,013
R1-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	12,445,339
Stat2-header	Passenger change 22–23
Stat2-data	▲ 23.5%
Stat3-header	Aircraft movements
Stat3-data	95,000
Stat4-header	Movements change 22–23
Stat4-data	▲ 15.9%

Birmingham Airport is an international airport located in Bickenhill, Solihull, serving the city of Birmingham and the wider West Midlands (county). It is the seventh busiest airport in the United Kingdom by passenger traffic and a major hub for operations by Jet2.com, TUI Airways, and Ryanair. The airport features a single runway and a modern terminal complex capable of handling wide-body aircraft for both scheduled and charter flights to destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia.

History

The site's aviation history began in the 1930s when it opened as Elmdon Airport, operated by Birmingham City Council. Significant expansion occurred post-World War II, with the first purpose-built terminal opening in 1939. A major redevelopment in the 1980s, including the construction of the current terminal building and control tower, coincided with the airport's rebranding. The facility was privatized in 1997, forming Birmingham International Airport plc, and later saw a pivotal extension of its runway in 2000 to accommodate long-haul services. Key moments include hosting the Royal Air Force during the war and serving as a base for British European Airways.

Facilities

The airport's primary terminal, the Eurohub, was the first integrated domestic and international terminal in the United Kingdom when it opened. The main terminal building houses two departure lounges, a executive lounge operated by Aspire, and a variety of retail and dining outlets. Airside facilities include modern boarding gates equipped to handle aircraft up to the size of the Airbus A380, though it primarily serves Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airport also features dedicated cargo handling facilities operated by companies like DHL Aviation and is a base for National Police Air Service helicopters.

Airlines and destinations

Birmingham Airport serves as a focus city for several carriers, most notably Jet2.com, which operates an extensive network of leisure routes, and TUI Airways, offering charter flights. Ryanair and easyJet maintain significant seasonal and year-round operations to cities across Europe, including Dublin, Amsterdam, and Palma. Long-haul services have included flights by Air India to Amritsar and Air Canada to Toronto. Major scheduled network carriers such as KLM, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines provide key connections through their hubs at Schiphol, Frankfurt Airport, and Istanbul Airport.

Statistics

In 2023, the airport handled over 12.4 million passengers, representing a strong recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The busiest routes typically include short-haul destinations like Dublin, Belfast, and Dubai. Pre-pandemic, the airport consistently ranked among the top ten in the UK, with a record passenger throughput of nearly 13 million in 2019. Cargo traffic, while secondary to passenger operations, is facilitated through partnerships with logistics firms such as FedEx Express and UPS Airlines.

Ground transport

The airport is directly connected to the UK's national rail network via Birmingham International railway station, which is linked to the terminal by the free Air-Rail Link people mover. The station provides frequent services to Birmingham New Street station on the West Coast Main Line and to London Euston via Avanti West Coast. Major road access is provided by the M42 motorway (Junction 6) and the A45 road, linking to the M6 motorway. Regular bus and coach services are operated by National Express and Arriva Midlands to destinations across the West Midlands conurbation.

Future developments

The airport's master plan includes proposals for further terminal expansion and the potential development of a second runway to the south of the existing site. A key ongoing project is the extension of the West Midlands Metro tram system, with a new line planned to connect Birmingham city centre directly to the terminal. Sustainability initiatives, aligned with the UK Net Zero target, focus on increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel and implementing more efficient ground operations. The airport also anticipates growth in cargo handling, supported by its proximity to the UK Central Hub and High Speed 2 rail interchange.

Category:Airports in England Category:Transport in Birmingham, West Midlands Category:Buildings and structures in Solihull