Birmingham Airport considers HS2 terminal to capitalise on high speed network
Birmingham Airport may develop a new terminal inside the proposed HS2 interchange station in a move which could see passengers step off the train and walk directly into the airport.
The proposal is thought to be one of the options under consideration as part of the airport’s 2030 masterplan – which is linked hand in glove with the high speed rail network.
It would mean passengers heading from London could be inside the airport in around 40 minutes – less time than it currently takes to get from the capital’s centre to Heathrow.
An airport spokesperson said: “HS2 will give our region an enormous opportunity to develop a truly integrated transport network that supports the continued growth of our region’s connectivity and aids travellers.
“It’s therefore vital that we maximise the benefits of its arrival in 2026, at which time Birmingham Airport will become the UK’s first high-speed connected airport and its catchment area will be dramatically enlarged into central London, giving it an increasingly national role.
“The Airport is currently undergoing a master planning process to explore and preserve options for the long term future of Midlands air travel. This exercise is not only exploring options to maximise the existing site but also future expansion opportunities and how it makes the most of this unique position with HS2 to ensure that all growth and infrastructure considerations are aligned to ultimately benefit the region’s businesses, workers and residents.”
At the very least, the airport could provide baggage drop-off facilities in the interchange station to speed up the check-in process, while plans for a ‘people mover’ of some description to transport passengers from the hub to the airport is also being factored in to designs.
The airport is expected to publish its masterplan later this year.
Experts have said that potentially, passenger traffic at Birmingham Airport could double, if not grow even further as a result of the new rail link.
