BIRMINGHAM International Airport is investing £150 in development over the next seven years.
The work is the final part of a £260m 10-year programme which will help to raise the airport’s capacity to over 10m passengers. Scheduled improvements include the building of a new satellite terminal off the main terminal to serve new aircraft stands, an extension to the international flight pier and additional stands at the British Airways Eurohub terminal.
The satellite is due to open in two years and will be linked to the main terminal by a light rail system or bridge.
Eurohub’s improvements will be complete next year as BA and its franchise and alliance partners plan new services and connections.
BIA has already spent £110m on two stages of development since 1997. This has seen extra check-in desks, a £40m link between the two terminals, extra departure areas and improved baggage systems.
Last year, BIA handled 7m passengers with a 60/40 split in favour of scheduled traffic. Passenger numbers are forecast to rise to 10m by 2005.
Funding for the new work will come from the public/private partnership which runs the airport. Irish airport owner Aer Rianta is the largest single shareholder with 40%. The airport is also planning a partnership with Railtrack, Birmingham National Exhibition Centre and the Government to build a multi-modal public transport interchange at Birmingham International station.