Birmingham Airport unveils proposal for long-term economic growth

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The proposed Airport expansion could create a quarter of a million new jobs

Birmingham Airport, together with a coalition of business leaders and local councils, will today unveil proposals that could enable the Airport to expand in line with future demand, which it says would boost global connectivity and create over a quarter of a million new jobs in the Midlands, helping to rebalance the UK economy.

This proposal supports growth of up to 70 million passengers each year and up to 500,000 air transport movements from an expanded facility.

The Airport’s vision has been drawn up to support the development of a business park for the Midland’s manufacturing sector alongside the expanded site, and one of Europe’s biggest conference centres at the NEC, all based at the cross-roads of Britain’s road and rail systems.

The Airport says its long-term vision is a response to questions asked by the Airports Commission, which is examining the need for additional UK airport capacity and will recommend to Government how this can be met in the short, medium and long-term.

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said:

A high proportion of the country’s potential demand for business air travel comes from the Midlands catchment area. It is home to half a million businesses, 6.5 million employees and specialises in high-value manufacturing sectors.

Expanding Birmingham Airport alongside the M42 gateway project and High Speed Two is a once in a generation opportunity, according to airport bosses, to meet the UK’s aviation capacity needs.

The Airport’s vision is for London, Birmingham and Manchester to all have the long-haul airports that they need to succeed.The network proposal excludes expansion at Heathrow because airport bosses say that would expose too many people living in West London to unacceptable noise pollution. However, it is proposed that the network complements a new mega-hub in the South East or a more dispersed model.

Mark Garnier MP, Conservative MP for Wyre Forest and Chair of the West Midlands APPG said:

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council said:

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce said: