City News

Birmingham International Airport (BIA) handled a record 587,760 passengers during December, 2.3% more than the same month in 2006 and the highest number of passengers to ever travel through the Airport in the month of December.

 

This brought the conclusion to a successful year, with a total of 9,232,496 using the Airport over the twelve month period; 0.9% more than in 2006. Scheduled passengers accounted for 73% of the total 2007 figure, with charter making up the remaining 27%.

 

Joe Kelly, the Airport’s Acting Managing Director, said, “Birmingham International Airport has experienced an incredible year, with lots of highs and some lows but we’re really pleased to have ended 2007 with record numbers of passengers in December and an increase overall during the twelve months.

 

“We’ve welcomed new Airlines and introduced new destinations for our Region’s leisure and business travellers, and have opened our new extended Terminal 1 departures lounge significantly increasing facilities for the comfort and experience of our passengers.

 

“Looking ahead, we have an exciting and challenging year ahead. On Friday 4th January, the Airport Company submitted a Planning Application in to Solihull Metropolitan Council to extend the runway to accommodate a full range of long-haul destinations from BIA. We will also soon be finalising our plans for the replacement of the International Pier. This will significantly improve our gate facilities and provide the flexibility to deal with a range of aircraft from the same stands. Work will also continue to improve vehicle access and parking.

 

“During these large projects, we will continue to operate a safe and secure environment, whilst providing our passengers with a first class service they have come to expect and deserve.”

 

During the month of December 2007, 489,046 scheduled passengers flew through the Airport and 98,714 charter travellers, which led to an increase of 2.3%.  Growth was achieved on scheduled non EU routes of 8.7% and on EU service by 3.8%.  The Irish Republic saw an increase of 8.5%, and the Channel Isles achieved a 39.6% rise.  Long-haul scheduled routes to Asia saw a positive increase of 4.9%.

 

Specific scheduled routes that experienced growth in December included, Bratislava (+1728.5%), Barcelona (+260.4%), Murcia (+187.3%), Faro (+173.1%), Geneva (+120.3%), Paphos (+99.6%), Arrecife (+57.5%), Chambery (+19.1%), Gothenburg (+18.5%), Glasgow (+18.3%) and Newcastle (+17.1%). Walloon and Flemish Trade Office is back in Birmingham and the Wallonia Export Agency is celebrating this move with an exhibition of a typical Belgian art form: comic strips.