Media office

Birmingham International Airport (BIA) will step in line with other major airports tomorrow, Wednesday June 27th , when it adopts a ‘silent airport’ approach. Passengers travelling out of the airport on and after this date will not hear the familiar ‘bing-bong’ flight call announcements and will instead rely solely on the electronic information screens situated throughout the Airport’s two terminals.

BIA is adopting this ‘silent’ approach after research showed that in busy airports like Birmingham where boarding calls are constantly broadcast, passengers become overloaded with information and consequently ‘switch off’ from hearing their flight call announcement. 

Birmingham Airport has installed additional Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS) around the Airport, enabling passengers to easily locate a screen nearby, with a total of 92 FIDS in T1 and T2 departure lounges. The data displayed on the screens has been improved and now includes a countdown to when the gate of a flight will be opening, enabling passengers to relax and pass the time in the Airport shops and eateries.

John Morris Head of Corporate Affairs at Birmingham International Airport said “BIA is following suit from other airports that have been operating a ‘Silent Airport’ policy for many years. We have plenty of FIDS in T1 and T2 Departure lounges displaying flight information of boarding time, boarding gate and a new feature of a countdown to when the gate opens.’

John Morris continued “While frequent flyers may be familiar with this process of gathering information, less frequent travellers, such as holiday makers, may not be. As always we advise passengers to give themselves plenty of time to get to the airport, check-in and pass the security screening process. Once in the departure lounge, people should familiarise themselves with the FIDS, check their flight information, keep an eye on the time, enjoy the Airport facilities and then just check the screens at regular intervals until their flight is ready to board.

The Airport provides passengers with reduced mobility and visual and hearing impairments with assistance to ensure they have a comfortable journey through the airport and board their flight on time. In addition to the Deaf Alerter pager service to notify hard of hearing passengers of boarding times, the Airport also has a Special Assistance Area which on request can provide personal assistance. Through this service, visually impaired passengers can be met before check-in and assisted through security screening, the departure lounge and on to their flight.

Passengers will be reminded of the new ‘silent’ approach, starting 27th June, through signs at check-in and in departures.

For more information visit www.bhx.co.uk

Photo caption: Birmingham Airport employees point out flight times on the Flight Information Display Screens.