AIRPORT TO LOSE RUNWAY BUT GAIN TERMINAL

26-09-2007

Birmingham Airport has today confirmed what has long been suspected - that plans for a second runway are just a pipe dream. Far more important for the long-term strategic interests of the West Midlands is its renewed statement of intent to press ahead with an extension of the existing airstrip. There are also plans for a third terminal.

Environmental campaigners would of course prefer to halt the expansion altogether, and as concern develops about climate change, there's no guarantee that even these interim plans - which plot the future until 2030 - will sustain the same level of political and public support as they do now.

Certainly, the proposal to create a third terminal underlines a desire to substantially increase capacity, with BIA expecting to treble passenger numbers to 27 million a year.

Much of that will mop up holiday traffic that currently diverts to Manchester, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted - there's even an argument that there's a "green" element to the proposals in that they'll reduce car travel to these relatively far-flung airports.

There will also be cheering from local residents who will now have the threat of a second runway removed for a least two decades - even if the anticipated increase in passenger volumes is unlikely to do much for the peace and quiet of the area.

It's the runway extension which is really the key to this development though, as it will open up Birmingham to many more long-haul destinations, and lure business travellers away from Manchester and Heathrow.

Local Friends of the Earth campaigner Chris Crean has already thrown down the gauntlet to the Airport, asking them to show how they can make this strategically important leap forward carbon neutral too. We await their response with interest.

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