Birmingham Airport announces £2bn investment landing 30m passengers in draft Master Plan
Birmingham Airport has unveiled a £2 billion draft Master Plan that could see the Airport handle close to 30 million passengers, strengthen the West Midlands’ international connectivity and generate an additional £3.6 billion in GVA for the region. The plans are also expected to create more than 50,000 new jobs, including 3,800 on site at the Airport.
Over the next 15 years, the draft Master Plan sets out how the Airport can make best use of its existing runway capacity, expand passenger facilities and improve surface access, supporting better connections between West Midlands businesses and international markets.
This investment will bring is a massive boost for the West Midlands economy. It’s set to bring thousands of new jobs, better international links, and unlock vital backing for local businesses and supply chains.
– Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands
The ambitious plan sends a clear commitment from the Airport to continue to serve the region and its communities. However, the announcement comes alongside a stark warning to Government that this growth is only viable if stable taxation environments incentivise long-term shareholder investment and returns. The warning comes in the wake of English airports facing continued uncertainty around valuations, which have already seen the doubling of a business rates bill at Birmingham Airport.
Birmingham Airport is the Midlands principal international Airport already facilitating and supporting trade, tourism, investment and employment in the region. As Birmingham is the UK’s second city, our future plans will help secure ongoing growth in the region, benefiting more people and businesses in the West Midlands with new jobs, better transport links and enhanced connectivity.
The £2 billion 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. We have a laser-like focus on delivering sustainable growth that supports regional prosperity, while responding responsibly to the environmental challenges. This Master Plan will enable us to deliver on that ambition and ensure we are ready for the future.
– Nik Barton, Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham Airport Limited
The first phase of development could start next year, with around £500 million invested in areas including baggage facilities, reconfiguration and additional aircraft stands, improvements to surface access facilities and terminal facilities. As part of the airport’s commitment to positive community engagement, an eight-week public consultation will start, during which stakeholders can feed into the plans online or via post, or attend any of the 16 events starting on the 16th October.
This is a significant investment for the people and businesses of the West Midlands and the type of commitment that will generate UK-wide growth. When I visited the airport last year, I was impressed at the scale of development already underway, improving airfield and terminal infrastructure. But this draft plan is even bigger, generating thousands of new jobs and billions into the local economy, and this is what airports do best.
However, any airport growth must have adequate environmental and community mitigations in place. Local communities and stakeholders now have the chance to provide feedback on the draft plan, and I encourage as many people to participate in that, as the Department for Transport will also be doing.
– Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State, Department for Transport
The delivery of this plan is reliant on a fair and stable taxation environment. It is a normal expectation that investments generate returns. This draft Master Plan comes at a time when our shareholders are faced with increasing running costs from employment, energy and taxes.
This planned growth over 15 years details the length of investment cycles at airports, and unless tax and regulatory environments are made more favourable and stable for major infrastructure investment, they may not materialise. Nor will the growth in the UK we all so badly need, to deliver our country’s potential.
– Nick Barton, Chief Executive Officer, Birmingham Airport Limited
For further information, please visit Birminghamairport.co.uk/masterplan or contact the Airport at [email protected].
Hosting the first public consultation event on 16 October in Hampton in Arden, the eight-week consultation period will collate and consider all feedback received, looking to identify key themes, issues and suggestions raised. A final report will be published in 2027 summarising what was heard, how feedback was considered, and how it has influenced the final Master Plan and future funding commitments.