Birmingham Airport's Runway System: How Many Are There?

Birmingham Airport, formerly known as Birmingham International Airport and originally Elmdon Airport, currently has one operational runway. The runway is 3,052 metres long and is oriented northwest-southeast. A second runway, which was previously in use, has been incorporated into a taxiway for aircraft accessing the main runway.

Birmingham Airport's runway extension plans

The runway extension was part of a wider plan to increase the airport's capacity and enable it to compete with Manchester for flights to the US and the Far East. With the extension, the airport could handle more aircraft movements and increase its passenger numbers from nine million to eighteen million a year.

The project also included resurfacing the entire runway, modifications to the existing fuel farm, construction of a new taxiway exit, and installation of new aircraft ground lighting and approach lighting. In addition, a new airfield perimeter road and public transport road were built, along with new drainage works, including a new pumping station with a pollution control system and associated landscaping.

The extension was seen as "very significant" for the region's economy, with the potential to boost regional growth by 3-4%. It was also expected to help take cars off the road, reducing thousands of unnecessary surface journeys each year.

However, critics argued that Birmingham Airport was unlikely to become a "hub" airport, as not enough passengers would fly into Birmingham wanting to connect to other long-haul destinations. The greatest benefit was predicted to be for local "pleasure passengers," who would gain more holiday destination options.

The airport's history and ownership

Birmingham Airport (BHX) is located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England.

In 1928, Birmingham City Council decided that the city required a municipal airport. However, the Great Depression and spending cuts delayed these plans. In 1933, Elmdon, Birmingham, was identified as the preferred site, eight miles southeast of the city. Construction began in the late 1930s, and on May 1, 1939, the airport was deemed ready to welcome air traffic.

On July 8, 1939, the Duchess of Kent, accompanied by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, officiated at the opening of Elmdon Airport. The airport was owned and operated by Birmingham City Council until World War II, when civil aviation ceased. During the war, the airport was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and used as an Elementary Flying School and a base for the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm by the RAF. It was also used for flight testing and as a delivery base for Stirling and Lancaster bombers. The original grass airstrip was replaced by two hard runways: 06/24 at 2,469 feet (753 m) and 15/33 at 4,170 feet (1,271 m).

On July 8, 1946, the airport reopened for civilian operations but remained under government control. In 1949, scheduled services began with British European Airways (BEA) to Paris, and flights to other European cities were added during the 1950s. In 1960, the City of Birmingham resumed responsibility for the airport, ending central government control.

In 1961, an international terminal, the International Building, was opened, and the main runway was extended to accommodate turboprop and jet-powered airliners. In 1967, Birmingham Airport began offering flights to New York using VC-10 airliners. By the early 1970s, the airport was handling around one million passengers per year through a congested passenger terminal.

In April 1974, the newly formed West Midlands Metropolitan County Council, comprising the seven metropolitan areas of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, took over the airport. In 1981, construction began on a new airport terminal to handle the growing number of flights and passengers. This new terminal, with a capacity for 3 million people, was opened in 1984 by Queen Elizabeth II and set records for passenger numbers in its first few years.

In 1986, following the abolition of the West Midlands County Council, ownership of the airport was transferred to a newly formed West Midlands District Joint Airport Committee, still comprising the seven district councils of the West Midlands administrative area. On April 1, 1987, the Airports Act 1986 transferred ownership to Birmingham International Airport plc, a public limited company owned by the seven West Midlands district councils.

In July 1991, Birmingham Airport's second terminal, the Eurohub, opened. This terminal combined domestic and international passengers, solving the complications of Customs and Immigration control.

In 1993, government public sector borrowing restrictions meant that future development could only be funded by using private sector finance. The local authority owners reduced their shareholding to below 50%, restructuring Birmingham Airport into a private sector company. In March 1997, Aer Rianta, in partnership with Nat West Equity Partners, acquired a significant minority shareholding of 40%. By the year 2000, the airport was handling more than 7.5 million people a year, and the shareholding arrangement changed again, with Aer Rianta and Bridgepoint Capital increasing their investments.

In March 2000, Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, officially opened a £40 million terminal development, which provided a two-storey arrivals concourse linking the two passenger terminals. In September 2007, Macquarie Airports Group and Aer Rianta sold their 48.25% stake in the airport to Airport Group Investments Ltd (AGIL) for £420 million. As of 2007, the current shareholding arrangement is as follows: Seven West Midlands district councils (49%), Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Australia's Victorian Funds Management Corporation (48.25%), and the Employee Share Trust (2.75%).

The airport's location and transport links

Birmingham Airport (IATA: BHX, ICAO: EGBB) is located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. It is bordered by the National Exhibition Centre to the east, Marston Green to the north, Sheldon to the west, the village of Bickenhill to the south, and the village of Elmdon to the southwest.

The airport is easily accessible by road, rail, and bus. The primary road access is via the A45 main road, which connects to Junction 6 of the M42 motorway. For those travelling by car, parking charges apply in various areas around the airport, with locations farther from the terminal generally being cheaper.

Birmingham Airport is well-connected by rail, with Birmingham International Station providing direct connections to over 100 towns and cities. The station is served by several train operators, including Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, Transport For Wales, and CrossCountry. The Air-Rail Link monorail system offers a free, quick, and convenient connection between the airport and the train station, operating daily from 03:30 to 00:30. During off-peak hours, the airport terminal can also be reached by taxi or on foot from the station.

Additionally, Birmingham Airport is served by several bus and coach operators, including National Express West Midlands and National Express Coaches. Bus routes connect the airport to Birmingham city centre, Coventry, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, Erdington, and Kingstanding. Long-distance coaches operated by National Express Coaches also stop at the airport, providing connections to Birmingham coach station and beyond.

Airlines and destinations

Birmingham Airport, formerly known as Birmingham International Airport, is an international airport located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre. The airport currently has one operational runway, which is northwest–southeast (15/33).

Birmingham Airport is an operating base for easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways, and Emirates. The airport offers international flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.

• Belfast
• Dublin
• Paris
• Alicante
• Amsterdam
• Antalya
• Barcelona
• Berlin
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Jersey
• Lisbon
• Málaga
• Milan
• Paris
• Prague
• Tenerife
• Dubai
• Düsseldorf
• Agadir
• Antalya
• Barcelona
• Budapest
• Faro
• Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria
• Lanzarote
• Málaga
• Malta
• Marrakesh
• Palma de Mallorca
• Prague
• Rome
• Tenerife
• Aberdeen
• Isle of Man
• Istanbul
• Agadir
• Alicante
• Barcelona
• Bergamo
• Berlin
• Budapest
• Cork
• Dublin
• Faro
• Fuerteventura
• Gran Canaria
• Kraków
• Lanzarote
• Lisbon
• Málaga
• Marrakesh
• Palma de Mallorca
• Paphos
• Porto
• Seville
• Valencia

Birmingham Airport also serves as a distribution point for air cargo in Central Alabama, with a total landed weight of nearly 200,000 lbs in 2023.

The airport's sustainability initiatives

Birmingham Airport, located in the heart of the Midlands, UK, is committed to sustainability and has outlined a strategy to reduce its environmental impact and remain a responsible neighbour. The airport's sustainability initiatives are centred around its goal to become a net-zero carbon operator by 2033. Here are some key aspects of Birmingham Airport's sustainability efforts:

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:

Birmingham Airport has made significant progress in reducing its carbon emissions. By switching to a 100% renewable energy supplier in 2022, the airport achieved a noticeable reduction of 25% in carbon emissions compared to the 2019 baseline. The airport also received recognition for its decarbonisation efforts, achieving Level 3 (Optimisation) Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI) Europe for two consecutive years.

Waste Management and Recycling:

The airport has implemented an effective waste management process, achieving industry-leading recycling rates of over 80%. This progress has been recognised through two International Excellence CSR awards. Additionally, the airport has been working to reduce water consumption, achieving a 10% reduction in 2022/23 compared to 2019/20.

Community Investment and Wellbeing:

Birmingham Airport actively contributes to the community through charitable donations and initiatives. Between 2021 and 2023, the airport granted a total of £193,800 to 77 local projects, including its official charity partner, Solihull Mind.

Economic Development and Employment:

The airport plays a vital role in the region's economic development and employment opportunities. The airport's presence has contributed to the West Midlands becoming the top exporting region in the UK outside of London and the South-east, with an export value of nearly £35 billion in 2023.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel:

Birmingham Airport is committed to working with partners to target sustainable aviation fuel supplies. The airport is in ongoing discussions to ensure that aviation fuel supplies become more sustainable, aligning with the latest government policies.

Noise Management:

The airport recognises the importance of managing noise impact on the surrounding community. It is currently reviewing its Night Flying Policy to ensure that growth forecasts are enabled while also providing wider benefits to the region.

Birmingham Airport's sustainability initiatives demonstrate its commitment to environmental responsibility and the well-being of its neighbouring communities. By prioritising net-zero carbon operations and minimising carbon offsets, the airport strives to balance economic growth with sustainability.

Frequently asked questions