Official Birmingham Airport (BHX) Thread 1

[Mr Glide]

Also surprised Air Berlin do not operate between BHX and Berlin or Cologne???

I think Hapag used to operate a BHX-Cologne route up to a couple of years ago

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by ellbrown

I'll be going there tomorrow.

Might be difficult to get photos of the airport, when I'm going to be dragging my suitcase behind me!

Look forward to seeing it though.

I will miss the "International" part of it's previous name.

Isn't the train station still called "Birmingham International". Could they rename it "Birmingham Airport Station"?

Hope you have a good holiday!

[SuttonBluenose]

Anyone know where I can get a flight to Bali from?

[JayPeeDee]

You could fly from BHX via Dubai. Otherwise you're talking Heathrow or Gatwick.

Try this website, brilliant for flight searches www.skyscanner.net.

[ultraviolet]

From Birmingham you're probably looking at two stops. Possibilities are KLM via Amsterdam and Singapore or Emirates via Dubai and either Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta (all good stopover destinations). The one stop option is Singapore Airlines from Heathrow.

[ultraviolet]

A few snippets from the last Airport consultative committee meeting.

Hampton in Arden Parish Council (Cllr C Bowen) – enquired as to what stage had now been reached for the planning application for the runway extension. The Airport Company advised that planning consent had been given and the scheme would be built in 8 phases. The Airport Board were due to sign off some outstanding matters within the next month or so. Work on the new control tower was due to start in April 2011 which would mark the official start of the scheme. The Committee was reminded that there were plenty of reports in the public domain to obtain information on scheme details and progress.

Emirates - Emirates continue to provide strong load factors and, although a third daily service has recently been announced between Manchester and Dubai, discussions continue with Emirates about the potential for a third daily service at Birmingham Airport.

Fly India - Following the launch of the “Fly India” campaign, working with other regional partners, the Airport Company continues to be in discussions with Air India about the return of direct services between Birmingham and India (previously Air India provided services between Birmingham and India, which were withdrawn in 2008), and further information on Air India’s plans for Birmingham is awaited.

United Continental - The Airport Company is attending United Continental’s annual worldwide sales conference in the USA to consider potential services for the future and marketing for the Airport’s existing service.

The development of an Asian Travel Trade database of key contacts has been completed and the formulation of an Asian trade marketing strategy is now being considered.
5
The Airport Company, through its new Airline and Trade Relations Manager, is hosting a series of events with airlines and travel agents showcasing the Airport’s new facilities.
The Airport Company and Marketing Birmingham continue to meet on a regular basis to ensure joint strategic projects are progressed. The Airport Company is working with the Royal Shakespeare Company to progress joint promotional activities, where the Royal Shakespeare Company is keen to develop a close brand partnership with Birmingham Airport.

The Domestic Baggage Reclaim Area, in the former Terminal 1 area, could become part of the International Baggage Reclaim Area, thus creating additional baggage reclaim space and capacity.

Travelodge Hotel and Car Park - Construction of the Travelodge Hotel at the Elmdon Terminal Site is continuing and the new Travelodge Hotel is due to be completed and open in August 2011.

New Air Traffic Control Tower - Construction of the new Air Traffic Control Tower commenced in May 2011 and is due to be completed for February 2012. There will then be the fit-out of the new Air Traffic Control facilities, with the transfer of air traffic control operations to follow for December 2013.

http://www.ukaccs.info/bham/agendas.htm

[JayPeeDee]

Some good stuff in there UV, cheers!

[SuttonBluenose]

Originally Posted by JayPeeDee

You could fly from BHX via Dubai. Otherwise you're talking Heathrow or Gatwick.

Try this website, brilliant for flight searches www.skyscanner.net.

dodgy telephone line, the fella said male (maldives) not bali

And anyone know about that-re where to go from?

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by SuttonBluenose

dodgy telephone line, the fella said male (maldives) not bali

And anyone know about that-re where to go from?

Yeah, from BHX via Dubai is possible for about £750 return (early July). Or direct with BMI from Heathrow for around £600 (same dates).

Like I said, its easy enough on www.skyscanner.net, just enter the departure and destination, dates and number of people and it'll find all direct and indirect flights that have availability plus the cost.

[traffordboy]

Skyscanner is good as a guide but it's certainly not definitive. It rarely if ever finds the cheapest flights.

[RN750]

So given that:

"Construction of the new Air Traffic Control Tower commenced in May 2011"

Have there been any spades in the gorund or is this a paper 'commenced'.

Has anyone seen anything happening..

[JayPeeDee]

Originally Posted by traffordboy

Skyscanner is good as a guide but it's certainly not definitive. It rarely if ever finds the cheapest flights.

I don't use it to find the cheapest flights though, I use it to find routings. Having said that many times I've used it to find me better times, routes and prices than I can get through an agent.

Of course, you can use it to find an airline offering a particular route and then you go to the airline direct to book, or to an agent with a more complicated routing, but the prices are usually the same on Skyscanner. Don't agree with you that it 'rarely if ever' finds the cheapest price though, it has for me many times.

[Hassaan13]

I think there was another meeting yesterday? Anything interesting discussed then?

[ellbrown]

Just got back to Birmingham from Nice.

The new terminal looks nice.

Have to go through Duty Free before reaching the shops (Departure).

On arrival, you go past another shop.

Had a nice view of Birmingham as my plane hovered above the city waiting to land.
But didn't take photos at that point as the seatbelt light was on and was waiting to land.

Did get shots on the ground though (from my plane window). Not of the new terminal though.

Was pretty cool landing (and later taking off) near the Mediterranian Sea!

[ellbrown]

A few pics from my flight to Nice - just the ones on the tarmac, before we took off at Birmingham Airport.

An Esso fuel truck

The new Terminal 1 is to the left

image hosted on flickr

Flight to the South of France - Birmingham to Nice - Birmingham Airport - Esso Aviation Fuel Truck by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight to the South of France - Birmingham to Nice - Birmingham Airport - Esso Aviation Fuel Truck by ell brown, on Flickr


We had trouble getting the plane fueled going back to Birmingham today in Nice. Was waiting on the tarmac for an hour before our plane got fueled up ready to go.

[ellbrown]

Shots from Birmingham Airport, just after we landed and taxied to to Terminal 1

First thing I saw was an Air France plane!

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Birmingham Airport - Air France by Britair plane by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Birmingham Airport - steps and luggage vehicles by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Birmingham Airport - Air France by Britair plane by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Birmingham Airport - Air France by Britair plane by ell brown, on Flickr

[Anup24]

pass couple of weeks i have been flying to and from BHX for work.

I am not sure but there doesnt seem to be any sign of construction for the Tower. Its probably another delay in the world of BHX.

But i have a couple of questions-

'When the extention happens on the runway, will this enable the A380 to land here?

if not then is there going to be enogh space left between runway and A45 to put the extra 25meters which they have cut off for this phase to allow for the A380?

Thanks,

[JayPeeDee]

The A380 can already use BHX and it has done so! BHX was the first airport outside Heathrow to receive a scheduled A380 service, however it was only one flight for the opening of the new Emirates lounge and the anniversary of the airport...

I'm not sure if BHX needs to alter taxiways or widen the runway for an A380 to regularly use the airport without special operating restrictions. Maybe someone else can explain?

[drbrum]

deleted

[ellbrown]

They may have to change the route of the A45 or tunnel it under the runway.

At least the runway isn't by the sea!

In Nice, the airport and runway is by the Mediterranean Sea (pretty cool landing and taking off from there).


Midlands Today and ITV Central News mentioned problems with getting to France from Birmingham due to Civil Servant Industrial Action.

Last Friday, we had to wait at Nice for an hour before we got our BMI Baby plane fueled up and ready to return to Birmingham. They had to contact Air Traffic Control. BMI Baby also was in contact with them (so we could get a slot to take off).

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Nice Airport - Total Fuel Truck by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Nice Airport - Total fuel truck by ell brown, on Flickr

image hosted on flickr

Flight back home - Nice to Birmingham - Mediterranean by ell brown, on Flickr