A strategy for sustainable growth
We undertook a visioning study to explore the potential for airport city development on land surrounding Birmingham International airport.
The demand for increased airport infrastructure is significant and HS2’s connectivity to the airport in 2026 will be a catalyst for its growth. With journey times between Birmingham and London Euston reduced to just 38 minutes the Airport will find itself in direct competition with Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.
Birmingham is already one of the fastest growing airports in the country, with passenger numbers forecast to double in the next 20 years.
In the short to medium term the Airport faces a challenge to deliver sustainable growth within the existing campus which is constrained by surrounding development. Growth will have to be achieved through greater efficiency and through modal shift from private vehicles to public transport.
In the long term, when passenger demand reaches 25-30 million passengers per annum, the airport will need to build a second runway and expand to the east.
A unique and vibrant destination
The strategic masterplan for the Airport’s long term expansion includes a second runway, a new terminal building and the creation of a multi-modal transport hub, providing seamless connectivity between air, road and rail links.
Existing land use will be rationalised into specialised business clusters that will benefit from close proximity to the Airport.
Building on the Midlands rich heritage of engineering, science and technology and the success of the Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover, the aerotropolis will include a high value manufacture campus with connections to the Airport's cargo logistics terminal, a university campus and mixed-use residential schemes creating new jobs and homes.
Since completing this study, we have been successfully appointed to the civils led framework with WSP.