Birmingham International Airport: The Story So Far . . .
In December 2003 the Department for Transport (DfT) published a White Paper, 'The Future of Air Transport', setting out a strategic framework for the 'sustainable' development of Britain's airports up to the year 2030.
The White Paper recommended that in order to accommodate the predicted rise in demand for air travel in the Midlands, Birmingham International Airport (BIA) should embark on a major programme of expansion, including an extension of the airport's existing runway and the construction of a third passenger terminal building and a short second runway by 2016.
The White Paper instructed airport operators to produce (or update existing) business development 'master plans' to take account of the government's recommendations.
In October 2005, Birmingham International Airport Limited issued a draft Master Plan, entitled 'Towards 2030: Planning a Sustainable Future for Air Transport in the Midlands', for public consultation, along with a draft 'Property Valuation Support Scheme' aimed at compensating local homeowners for the 'generalised' property blight the expansion proposals had created.
In December 2007, a year later than planned, the Airport Company published the post-consultation 'adopted' version of the Master Plan together with a revised surface access strategy.
Updated air traffic forecasts prepared for the Master Plan indicated a slower rate of growth in passenger numbers and Air Transport Movements (ATMs) than previously thought. Whereas the White Paper had predicted that BIA would be handling 31.7 million passengers and 350,00 ATMs a year by 2030, the new forecasts revised these figures down to 27.2 million passengers and 205,000 ATMs a year. Although the airport is still expected to grow significantly compared to today (in 2006 BIA handled 9.2 million passengers and 108,658 ATMs), the Airport Company announced that the lower rate of growth meant a second runway would not now be needed before 2030 (and nor would the the property blight compensation scheme designed to compensate residents be 'triggered' before then).
The Airport Company has now given priority to its plan to extend the existing runway (Runway 15/33) to the south-east by 400 metres (bringing the total length to 3000 metres, not including an additional 150-metre starter extension) by 2012. The Runway Extension will increase the range of destinations available from BIA but additional work on the airfield is planned in order to increase the capacity of the runway to handle more flights per hour. The first phase of the construction of a third passenger terminal will begin in 2018.
Lengthening the runway will cost around £120 million, £40 million of which will need to be spent on diverting the A45 Coventry Road and building a tunnel over a stretch of the road. A new air traffic control tower and international pier will also be required to support the longer runway.
The Master Plan also outlines plans for the development of commercial and operational facilities at the old Elmdon Terminal site, including a dedicated Engine Ground Running Facility, a cause of concern to nearby residents.
Despite high-profile environmental 'mitigation' measures, for example the target for 35 per cent of journeys to the airport to be undertaken by public transport by 2030, the proposals in the Master Plan would lead to the major environmental impacts of Birmingham International Airport increasing over the next two decades.
On 4th January 2008, BIA Limited submitted a Planning Application for the extension of the runway to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, the local planning authority. The Council is due to determine the application in the summer of 2008.
Read more about why we oppose the expansion of BIA and how you can help