World's Busiest Airport London Heathrow's Third Runway Built

The Airport welcomes the new thinking outlined in the Queen's Speech today.

Scrapping proposals for new developments in the South East, together with a desire to utilise existing and underused assets, will mean a more equitable solution for the Country as a whole, and more jobs and prosperity in the regions.

Birmingham Airport is a Strategic National Asset. There is spare capacity at Birmingham - enough capacity to take another 9 million passengers immediately -- and an anticipated 21 million plus passengers in future years, as capability is enhanced in line with existing Planning Consents.

Furthermore, Euston is only 70 minutes from Birmingham Airport and Virgin Trains has expressed a desire to reduce this to 59 minutes. With HS2 in place this becomes 38 minutes. Even now the majority of Londoners could probably get to Birmingham as quickly as they could reach Heathrow's check-in desks. It just needs people to think about their journey in a new way, and not to be bound by old habits.

Using spare capacity by adding to Birmingham's wider portfolio will help to create jobs and generate inward investment, on top of the 21,000 regional jobs that are expected to be created up to 2030.

Around 50% of the UK population is less than a two-hour drive from Birmingham. High Speed Rail will be the equivalent of placing Birmingham in 'Zone 4' of the Underground Map.

Birmingham Airport has an excellent environmental record and one of the most stringent night flying regimes - there are binding agreements in place to protect the interests of local people. However, within those binding agreements there is still tremendous opportunity. The Airport is running at less than 40% capacity. Making best use of the UK's strategic resources can only be in everyone's interests.

John Morris, Birmingham Airport's Head of Government and Industry Affairs, said, "We welcome the Government's new thinking, as outlined in the Queen's Speech. In these difficult times it makes sense to use and sensibly improve the assets that you have got, rather than building whole new runways. Aviation has its part to play in an integrated transport system, and rail must play a part in distributing the demand for International Gateways, to Airports that have capacity. Birmingham is a prime example as it is just over an hour from London.

"Birmingham Airport is a vital yet underused piece of National strategic infrastructure. It is already the Midlands' premier International Gateway."

In addition to this important role, the prospect of HS2 from Central London to BIA will make journey times comparable with Gatwick and Heathrow, and shorter than Stansted and Luton.

John continued:
"We have plenty of capacity and, linked to high-speed rail, we are uniquely positioned to attract passengers from the overheated South East. I hope that the Government's new thinking will encourage others to take a fresh look at their travel habits -- and see that there are some easier alternatives to the 'received wisdom' of Heathrow.

"Birmingham is famous for Chocolate, Cars, Canals, Culture -- and lots more. Positioned at the heart of the country we are perfectly placed for those visitors from abroad who want to experience all that the region, and further afield, has to offer. Birmingham's reputation continues to rise and is truly a destination which provides the perfect port of entry for foreign visitors as well as UK Nationals travelling overseas.

"Birmingham is also famous for its innovation. By taking up some of the demand we will create jobs, help to rebuild the local economy, and encourage a new way of looking at problems. We look forward to a continuing an innovative dialogue with Government. Birmingham has always been keen to distance itself from the 'Heathrow doctrine -- that it must continue to grow -- and we have said that Heathrow needs to be better not bigger. Now we are keen to be in the forefront of a new way of thinking, and new approach towards using our regional Airports, which are Strategic National Assets."

Terminal 5, 3rd third runway

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[skybrex]

We've been voted Best UK Airport by ‘Which? Travel’ members, in the large airports category. This is great news for us & all of you that travel using our airport. Read the full article here >>>

[FRplane]

Why develop Birmingham for London when by road it takes ages. I don't see why they can't develop Stansted. With its existing infrastructure, Stansted could handle up to 15 million more passengers per year. With improved rail links Stansted could be linked to London in less than half an hour and it takes just one hour from the terminal building to reach the London eye! This country is crazy!

[skybrex]

@FRplane

Euston is only 70 minutes from Birmingham Airport and Virgin Trains has expressed a desire to reduce this to 59 minutes. With HS2 in place this becomes 38 minutes. Even now the majority of Londoners could probably get to Birmingham as quickly as they could reach Heathrow's check-in desks. It just needs people to think about their journey in a new way, and not to be bound by old habits.

[skybrex]

@FRplane

The prospect of HS2 from Central London to Birmingham Airport will make journey times comparable with Gatwick and Heathrow, and shorter than Stansted and Luton.

[TheJosho147]

atlanta is the busiest airport, sorry to birst your bubble bro

[sjmunoz]

@agamemnon419 Yes ! in fact, weeks ago i was watching amazing race and the competitors finish the show in atlanta. the host said it was the busiest one. :)

[agamemnon419]

@sjmunoz Atlanta's Hartsfield is the busiest.

[leo3214226]

atlanta is the busiest airport in the airport because that's were all the airlines stop for lay-over's. plus Delta Airlines & KLM have hubs there!

[vinsterful]

@sjmunoz Chicago has left aircraft

[TheSaadAhmed125]

@sjmunoz yes it is :) well second busiest if you count Atlanta :/

[skybrex]

@sjmunoz

Actually bham has only 1

[sjmunoz]

@skybrex

are we talking about airports here ?!...birmingham has about 2 runways, chicago has like 10..