29th August 2009

Birmingham Airport to unveil £45m ‘International Pier’ passenger terminal

A new £45 million passenger terminal at Birmingham International Airport which can hold double the number of passengers will be unveiled next month. The International Pier will replace the old structure in what is the single biggest investment the airport has made in 20 years. The extension of Terminal One means more space for aircraft and new gate lounges for passengers as the airport prepares for longer-term projects such as a new runway.

It will enable passenger capacity to double to 20 million from its current figure of 9.2 million.
The opening comes after airport bosses revealed they are looking to knock the two terminals into one and attract Selfridges-style stores to the complex. Operation’s director Will Heynes, who has been responsible for the project, said that the investment will provide the airport with facilities to enable it to meet the growing demand for international services to global destinations from Birmingham adding that the new "Pier" would provide a high quality gateway into the Midlands for foreign visitors.

Roughly 40 airlines operate from Birmingham to 140 destinations. More than 7,000 jobs are supported by the airport. The new Pier is a three storey building – 240 metres long and 24 metres wide. The top floor is for departing passengers, middle for arrivals with office space for airline and handling agents on the ground floor.

The airport is currently assessing various potential projects including the future of the Elmdon terminal. The building, which was the main terminal until the move to the current site in 1984, is home to the Air Traffic Control Tower, the business aviation centre, handling agencies and VIP handling.

Bosses say it is a major piece of the airport’s history and since 1996 it has adhered to a planning obligation to maintain the character and appearance of the building.
The airport is working on future proposals to redevelop the entire Elmdon site.

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