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Air travel from one major UK airport is about to get a lot busier. Birmingham Airport (BHX) has unveiled a whopping £2 billion ‘Master Plan’ in which it aims to welcome 30 million more passengers every year.
As the biggest airport in the Midlands, BHX already welcomes 13.7 million travellers each year, however it hopes that by 2041 it could more than double this number.
BHX won’t build a new runway (it’ll be sticking with just the one), but in the 15-year plan it does plan to make its terminal 60 percent bigger. As soon as next year, passengers could see improved baggage facilities, additional aircraft stands and better public transport access. Then within five years there will be two new car parks for flyers. The airport has also revealed plans to be net zero by 2033.
Airport bosses said the expansion could create 50,000 jobs, including 3,800 at the airport site. The West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, said: ‘It’s set to bring thousands of new jobs, better international links, and unlock vital backing for local businesses and supply chains.’
At the moment the £2 billion figure is still a proposed investment, and Birmingham Airport hasn’t yet worked out how it will secure all of the funds. Nick Barton, chief executive at Birmingham Airport Limited, warned that the plan is ‘reliant on a fair and stable taxation environment’, and that if investment in the airport was not made ‘favourable’ then the money ‘may not materialise’.
He said: ‘It is a normal expectation that investments generate returns. This draft Master Plan comes at the same time where the airport is faced with increasing running costs from employment, energy and taxes.’
Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander said in a statement: ‘We’re backing our aviation sector to continue growing, right across the country. Birmingham Airport’s Masterplan will be a massive boost to the West Midlands, unlocking investment and creating 50,000 well-paid local jobs to get people into employment.’
Do you have thoughts? The airport opened an eight week public consultation on the plans on October 8 where you can have your say.
ICYMI: This UK city is officially one of the best in the world for public transport.
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