Birmingham Airport rebuts Heathrow claims over China
BIRMINGHAM Airport chiefs have dismissed claims from BAA that Heathrow is the only facility capable of forging new air links with China.
The rebuttal follows a successful visit by Birmingham Airport representatives to the Far East for talks with a number of airlines.
During a three day visit to the Chinese city of Chengdu for the Routes Asia conference, the airport’s management team, led by its CEO, Paul Kehoe, spoke to airlines about the market potential, particularly highlighting the level of trade between the West Midlands and cities across Asia and the demand for direct flights.
The cultural links between China and Birmingham were also highlighted, in particular the city’s twin status with the city of Guangzhou in Southern China.
The Birmingham delegation said feedback from the airlines was positive, with many saying they were considering Birmingham as a new destination once the runway extension is complete in 2014.
Mr Kehoe said: “We hear so much from BAA about the UK losing lucrative new routes because of the capacity constraints at Heathrow but the South East isn’t the only solution.
“Our runway extension will allow aircraft to fly direct from China, bringing investment to the region, and giving airlines and passengers an alternative to battling with London’s congestion problems.
“We now need the UK Government to endorse Birmingham Airport, when it releases its Aviation Policy Review later this year, as a national airport that can offer a rapid and cost effective solution to the aviation gap.”
Routes Asia 2012 is a major networking event designed to bring airlines and airports together. Birmingham Airport had the largest airport stand at the event and demonstrated strong trading links with China by showing a film about the partnership between the airport and Shanghai Automotive-owned MG UK.
MG Motor’s MD, William Wang, who supports a Birmingham-Shanghai route, said there was serious need for direct flights between Birmingham and Shanghai for business passengers, the Chinese community living in the West Midlands region and the thousands of students that come to Birmingham each year from China to study.
Since 2003, after London, Birmingham has attracted more Chinese investment projects than any other UK city, receiving £76.59m in capital investment and creating 596 jobs during this period. In 2010, Birmingham received £8.68m in capital investment from China.
“Birmingham Airport currently handles 9m passengers a year but can take double this number today with its current infrastructure. With the runway extension, this will progressively grow to 36m by the year 2030,” added Mr Kehoe.
“Our runway extension is already under construction and will be complete early in 2014. The UK Government has said there will be no additional runway capacity for flights into London; it is therefore critical for airports such as Birmingham to deliver direct long haul flights and this kind of positive commercial discussion paves the way for that to happen.
“With more direct flights regional airports will play an important part in rebalancing the UK economy and allowing the Midlands to benefit from trade links to emerging markets like China.”
