BIRMINGHAM Airport is seeking to expand to offer more shops and passenger facilities to cope with ‘growing demand’ and create 120 jobs.
A planning application has been submitted to Solihull council proposing an infill extension to be built between the existing terminal and the short pier.
The development will see additional restaurants and bars, more toilets, passenger seating and enhanced baggage facilities.
The airport claims that, after pre-application talks, Solihull council planning officers indicated the proposed development is ‘acceptable in principle’.
The report said: “While the proposed development consists of an infill extension and would not, when viewed on its own, result in any significant economic impact on the regional economy, it would contribute towards the airport’s main goal, which is to provide an enhanced passenger experience and become the best regional airport in Europe.”
The report states it would not result in an increase in passenger numbers nor would it expand beyond the airport boundaries.
Over the last four years, passenger numbers have grown from 9.7million passengers per annum to almost 13million, the airport says.
The report says: “The recent growth in passenger numbers has resulted in a decline in the level of service available to passengers. This has occurred through the lack of retail and food choice and delays in the operational system.”
To the south of the airport is Solihull and to the north is Chelmsley Wood.
Nearby are a number of villages including Bickenhill, Elmdon, Hampton-in-Arden and Marston Green.
