Birmingham Airport not shortlisted for new runway

Birmingham Airport has been overlooked by the Airports Commission looking to increase national capacity.

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, believes the report was unclear on short-term solutions and confident the second runway option for Birmingham Airport is preserved until 2050.

The CEO of Birmingham Airport, Paul Kehoe, has responded positively to the Davies Commission Report issued this morning on increasing airport capacity in the UK.

But Mr Kehoe believes there are still concerns the report fails to address the whole British economy.

Birmingham Airport has welcomed a report issued by The Davies Commission this morning, which they believe recognises its role in the UK's long-term aviation strategy.

With the report came the revelation that the proposals for an expansion of the Airport had not been shortlisted.

They believe the report affirmed the importance of Birmingham in the UK’s long-term aviation strategy, listing key points to support future growth.

The CEO of Birmingham Airport, Paul Kehoe, responded positively to the report maintaining it was an "integral piece of their long-term aviation puzzle".

Proposals for an expansion of Birmingham Airport have not been shortlisted as part of a report published this morning.

The Airports Commission report has looked at ways to maximise airport capacity.

Read More: Birmingham Airport 'could grow to serve 70m a year'

However, it did say that Birmingham Airport could be considered as a potential option for a second new runway by 2050.

Read More: Airport Commission: New airport needed by 2030

More than 70 million passengers would pass through Birmingham Airport every year if it is given the chance to grow, according to bosses.

The chief executive of Birmingham International has set out his vision for the airport ahead of a report by the Airports Commission looking at the air travel sector.

Paul Kehoe believes the airport should cash in on HS2 - which would put the airport just 30 minutes from London.

His comments came as he called for "balance" in the debate, warning that disproportionate focus on London airports would be detrimental to the rest of the country.

Birmingham Airport is in a unique position to grow. We could double in size in the short-term and our runway extension will enable us to deliver long-haul flights around the world.

With HS2, we will be 31 minutes from central London – the same journey time as the Gatwick Express – and we could incrementally grow to serve over 70 million passengers a year.

But it is clear that expansion at Heathrow would stifle the ability of the rest of the industry to flourish.

Like Gatwick, we would not consider building a second runway if a third runway at Heathrow was on the cards – the business case would not stack up.

The Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport has called on the Airports Commission to not forget economies outside of the south east ahead of its report into airport capacity.

The report, to be published on Tuesday, will propose a short-list of options for new or expanded capacity in the long term.

Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Airport, says:

"Let's not forget that it was the stated remit of the Airports Commission to take a "UK-wide perspective" and we expect to hear recommendations that will boost economies across the country - and not just the south east."

"But it is clear that expansion at Heathrow would stifle the ability of the rest of the industry to flourish."