Roberta Aguirre
Birmingham Airport, formerly known as Birmingham International Airport, is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England. It is about 7 nautical miles (13 km) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre. The airport is one of the busiest in the UK, serving around 13 million passengers annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Birmingham Airport (BHX/BHM/KBHM), formerly Birmingham International Airport and Elmdon Airport |
| Location | 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull |
| County | West Midlands, England, UK |
| Year of opening | 1939 |
| Operating base for | easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways, Emirates, Air France, Saudia Airlines, Wizz Air |
| Number of concourses | 3 |
| Number of gates | 19 |
| Number of passengers in 2017 | 12.9 million |
| Number of passengers in 2024 | 13.8 million |
| Parking | 7-story, 5,600-space parking deck for long and short-term parking, as well as a 900-space satellite lot with shuttle service to the terminal |
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What You'll Learn
Birmingham Airport's history
Birmingham Airport, formerly Birmingham International Airport, is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England. It is about 7 nautical miles (13 km) east-southeast of Birmingham City Centre.
The history of Birmingham Airport dates back to the late 1920s when, in 1928, the Birmingham City Council decided that the city needed a municipal airport. A committee was established, and by 1931, several potential sites had been identified, including Shirley, Elmdon, and Aldridge. Despite the onset of the Great Depression delaying progress, the project was revived in 1933, and construction soon commenced.
On July 8, 1939, the Duchess of Kent, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, accompanied by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, inaugurated the airport, then known as Elmdon Airport. The terminal building, designed in the Art Deco style by Norman and Dawbarn, included the airport's air traffic control tower. Initial flights connected Birmingham to Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, Ryde, Shoreham, Manchester, and Southampton. However, the airport's civilian operations were soon interrupted by the Second World War, during which it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Navy as RAF Elmdon.
After the war, on July 8, 1946, the airport reopened for civilian flights. Over the following decades, the airport expanded and evolved. In 1984, a new terminal was constructed, and the original terminal was converted into staff offices and continued to be used for private flights. In 2008, the airport underwent a renaming, becoming the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to honour the legacy of civil rights activist Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth.
In 2011, the airport embarked on a significant modernisation project, resulting in a new terminal that doubled the airport's footprint while minimising environmental impact. This commitment to sustainability was recognised in 2016 when the airport received LEED Gold Certification. The airport has also invested in green initiatives, such as installing electric charging stations for both passengers and airline partners.
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Airlines and destinations
Birmingham Airport (IATA: BHX, ICAO: EGBB), formerly Birmingham International Airport, is located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England. The airport offers international flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent.
Airlines
Birmingham Airport is served by five major airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and United Airlines. Other airlines that operate from the airport include British regional airline Flybe, Jet2.com, Ryanair, TUI Airways, and Emirates.
Destinations
The airport offers nonstop flights to 22 destinations across the United States, including Nashville, Denver, Dallas Fort Worth, Tampa, Orlando, and New York. Internationally, the airport offers flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. Historically, the airport has offered flights to Paris, Zurich, Düsseldorf, Palma, Amsterdam, and Barcelona.
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Passenger numbers
Birmingham Airport, formerly Birmingham International Airport, is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in England. It is about 7 nautical miles (13 km or 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham City Centre.
Birmingham Airport is the seventh-busiest airport in the UK. In 2017, it had a passenger throughput of over 12.9 million. The airport serves as a base for easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, and TUI Airways, with around 50 airlines operating through it. In 2017, the airport offered 136 flights to 43 airports in 40 cities. It is Alabama's largest and busiest airport, serving approximately 3 million passengers annually.
In 2022, the Birmingham Airport Authority signed a lease agreement with Million Air, which included a $32 million investment in a new terminal, a community light aviation hangar, and two community corporate hangars. The airport's single largest source of revenue is parking fees. It operates a 7-story, 5,600-space parking deck and a 900-space satellite lot.
The airport has been taking steps to improve the travel experience and safety of its passengers. It has introduced a barrier-less system for vehicles dropping off passengers, implemented new TSA procedures, and installed hand sanitiser stations throughout the terminal.
To accommodate increasing passenger numbers, Birmingham Airport is undergoing a £10 million expansion of its arrivals area. This includes the installation of an additional baggage carousel and the addition of UK Border Force control desks and a larger immigration hall. The airport aims to handle 18 million passengers a year by 2033.
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Safety and security
Birmingham Airport, formerly Birmingham International Airport, is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, England. It is about 7 nautical miles (13 km) from Birmingham city centre and is bordered by the National Exhibition Centre to the east, Marston Green to the north, Sheldon to the west, and the villages of Bickenhill and Elmdon to the south.
Birmingham Airport has implemented several safety and security measures to ensure the well-being of its passengers and employees. These include:
- Around-the-clock cleaning and sanitation: The airport conducts frequent cleaning and sanitation throughout the terminal using EPA-approved cleaning solutions. High-touch areas such as handrails, elevator buttons, and seating areas are prioritised for disinfection.
- Deep cleaning: In addition to regular cleaning, the terminal undergoes deep cleaning each night using electrostatic spray technology. A professional cleaning company is also on call for any specialised cleaning needs.
- Hand sanitiser stations: Hand sanitiser dispensers are readily available throughout the terminal for both passengers and employees to encourage proper hand hygiene.
- Informational signage: Signage has been strategically placed in the terminal to educate passengers and staff about ways to reduce the spread of illness.
- Acrylic shields: Protective barriers have been installed at all public-facing counters to provide an extra layer of protection during interactions.
- Security screening: The airport has introduced additional security screening lanes to enhance safety and reduce waiting times for passengers.
- TSA procedures: Passengers are advised to familiarise themselves with the latest TSA procedures, such as scanning their boarding passes, separating food items, and placing pocket items directly into their carry-on bags to minimise contact with personnel.
- Barrierless drop-off system: A new barrierless system has been implemented in the Premium Set Down and drop-off areas to streamline the process of dropping off passengers and improve traffic flow.
- Airline safety measures: Individual airlines operating at Birmingham Airport have implemented their own operational changes to enhance the safety of passengers and crew, such as mobile-boarding and contactless payments.
These measures reflect Birmingham Airport's commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all who pass through its gates. The airport continues to adapt its procedures to meet evolving safety standards and address emerging concerns, ensuring that travel remains a positive and worry-free experience for all.
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Transport links
Birmingham Airport is located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre, in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. The airport 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.
Birmingham Airport is easily accessible by road, with the A45 main road and Junction 6 of the M42 motorway nearby. For those travelling by car, the airport offers a range of parking options, including long-term and short-term parking in a 7-story, 5,600-space parking deck, as well as a 900-space satellite lot with shuttle service.
The airport also has strong public transport connections. It is served by an elevated Air-Rail Link that connects to Birmingham International railway station on the West Coast Main Line, providing direct train links to the city centre and beyond.
Additionally, Birmingham Airport is accessible by bus, with several bus lines connecting the airport to the city centre and surrounding areas. Shuttle bus services are also available for passengers who need to travel between the terminals and the parking lots.
For those travelling by taxi or ride-share, designated drop-off and pick-up areas are located near the terminal entrances, providing convenient access to the airport.
Birmingham Airport is committed to improving its transport links and accessibility. In recent years, projects have been undertaken to expand the arrivals area, improve parking facilities, and enhance the efficiency of drop-off and pick-up zones. These developments aim to cater to the increasing number of passengers using the airport each year and ensure a smooth travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Birmingham Airport is in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in England.
Birmingham Airport is located 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre.
Birmingham Airport was formerly known as Birmingham International Airport.
