Birmingham Airport sets out £2bn plan for 30 million passengers

Birmingham Airport has unveiled a £2 billion draft master plan that would allow it to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.

The airport says the plan could generate an extra £3.6 billion in gross value added for the regional economy and create more than 50,000 jobs, including 3,800 at the airport itself.

The draft sets out how the airport can make the best use of its existing runway over the next 15 years, with much improved passenger facilities and better road and rail access. It also looks at how the airport can do more for the communities living closest to it.

What could be built

The first phase could start next year, with major investment in:

• baggage handling;
• reconfiguring the airfield and adding aircraft stands;
• surface access, meaning roads, public transport, parking and drop-off;
• the terminal and its facilities.

"Unprecedented" investment

Nick Barton, the airport's chief executive, said: "The £2bn proposed investment is unprecedented at Birmingham Airport and will take our airport close to 30 million passengers. This level of ambition sends a strong signal of support and confidence in our airport and wider region."

But he added a warning to the Government. "The delivery of this plan is reliant on a fair and stable taxation environment," he said. "Unless tax and regulatory environments are made more favourable and stable for major infrastructure investment, they may not materialise."

The airport says it already faces rising costs from employment, energy and taxes, and that its business rates bill has doubled after a revaluation.

Support from the Mayor and Government

The Mayor, Richard Parker, said the plan "is set to bring thousands of new jobs, better international links, and unlock vital backing for local businesses and supply chains".

The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said the Government was backing airport expansion "that drives prosperity in every corner of Britain, whilst delivering cleaner flights with over £219 million invested in green fuels".

Have your say

An eight-week public consultation will run alongside the plan. People can respond online or by post, or go to one of 20 engagement events, the first of which takes place in Hampton in Arden on 16 October.

All feedback will be considered, and a final report will be published in 2027 setting out what was heard and how it shaped the final master plan. Details are at birminghamairport.co.uk/masterplan.

Growth and its limits

Birmingham Airport handled record passenger numbers this summer, and has added new routes, including direct flights to Cairo announced this month. Growth will be welcomed by businesses and travellers, but residents under the flight path are likely to raise questions about noise, traffic and carbon emissions during the consultation.

The airport has said that growth will be delivered "responsibly and sustainably", with community engagement at its core. Because the plan makes better use of the existing runway, it does not involve building a new one.