Birmingham International Airport (BIA) has put forward a blue print for its future direction, which include an extension of the runway and greater emphasis on promoting access to the terminal by public transport.
The airport’s plan supports proposals to extend the runway by 405 metres, a planning application for this work is expected to be submitted by the end of the year, which would enable Birmingham to operate more long haul routes.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Jim Fitzpatrick, attended a presentation at the airport where it was also announced that a target of 25 per cent of all people travelling to BIA by public transport was to be aimed for by 2012.
In 2006 bus and rail travel to the airport accounted for 18 per cent of all journeys, with cars and taxis making up 80 per cent.
Jim Fitzpatrick said: “I’m very pleased to see Birmingham Airport setting a bold but achievable target to get more air passengers to use public transport to the airport. The government wants an aviation industry which meets its own environmental costs and this initiative supports that vision.”
