Birmingham Welcomes World's Largest Airliner
To commemorate Birmingham Airport's 70th Anniversary, Emirates flew its Airbus A380 - the world's largest airliner - into Birmingham on its luchtime service from Dubai on 9th September, marking the first ever A380 flight to land at a UK regional Airport.
On arrival, the aircraft parked on the Airport's new £50m 'International Pier' on Terminal One and was welcomed by 500 guests from the travel industry, the Midlands' business community and media.
More than 20 vintage aircraft in memory of the early days at ‘Elmdon’, the Airport’s original 1930s terminal, made a special appearance and parked at the original site.
Opening just 14 months after the construction began, the new International Pier is the single biggest investment that the Airport has made in over 20 years and provides a state-of-the-art extension, replacing the former out-dated facility constructed in 1984 when the current passenger site was opened after moving from Elmdon.
The three storey construction is 240 metres long and 24 metres wide and is in keeping with the bright and modern architecture seen throughout the airport. It provides air-bridged aircraft parking for seven wide-bodied aircraft and has enough space to serve 13 smaller aircraft at any given time. Departing passengers are accommodated on the top level and arriving passengers on the middle level. Airlines and handling agents are housed on the ground floor.
Paul Kehoe, the Airport’s CEO, said, “Our new International Pier provides a high quality gateway into the Midlands and is key as we prepare to double our passenger numbers to 18 million in the next 10 years and meet our aspirations to improve global connectivity from the Midlands.
"As demonstrated with the A380, the Pier is capable of accommodating the largest of today’s ‘next generation’ environmentally-efficient aircraft, such as the Airbus A380, Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’, as well as the aircraft types we see at Birmingham today like the Airbus A330, Boeing 747 and 777.
“Together with the future runway extension, we’ll have the infrastructure and facilities to attract new airlines and increase our regional market by offering new direct long haul destinations to all corners of the globe, providing a truly International airport for the region.”
The main sponsors of the 9th September event were Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, and Laing O’Rourke Construction North Ltd, the main construction company for the International Pier.
Nigel Russell, Head of Tourism and Culture for Advantage West Midlands, said: “First impressions often make lasting impressions and our support for today’s event marks the start of a closer working relationship with BIA to ensure the West Midlands region is recognised as the Heart of England - a global centre where people and businesses choose to connect.”
Tony Douglas, COO at Laing O’Rourke, said, “I’m delighted that Laing O’Rourke has played a significant part in today’s celebrations and proud that our team’s air sector expertise has successfully delivered an exceptional building for Birmingham International Airport. The new Pier will play its part in the Airport’s future ambitions as an International airport and I hope that our working partnership continues in the realisation of future plans.”
The airport would like to also thank all the other partners that supported the event and made it such a historic occasion.
+ Permalink