Business leaders have endorsed Birmingham Airport’s vision for the future which includes plans for the development of a business park and one of the largest conference centres in Europe.
The proposals follow questions from the Airports Commission, which is assessing the need for additional UK airport capacity before reporting its findings to the government.
Birmingham Airport CEO, Paul Kehoe, believes the vision will provide the city with the type of airport it deserves.
“In 20 years’ time British air travel will double and it is widely acknowledged that all the country’s long-haul traffic cannot be routed through one airport in West London.
“Instead, we believe that the best thing for UK aviation is to create a network of long-haul national airports, each supporting the comparative economic advantages of that region to boost trade, foreign investment and tourism,” he said.
There is increasing demand for business air travel in the Midlands which is home to around half a million businesses and the creation of a global travel hub would place 45 million people within one hour of the airport by 2032 , by which time HS2 will also be fully operational.
Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council, believes the proposals would benefit the Midlands economy in the same way Heathrow has encouraged development along the M4 corridor and helped to strengthen the position of The City.
It is thought that the airport expansion, together with the business park and conference centre, would open the region to the new markets in China and India, creating 250,000 jobs in the region.
The announcement of Birmingham’s vision gives it the opportunity to contribute to the debate about the future of UK aviation and represent the interests of the Midlands.
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