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Runway Decision Deferred

Paul Kehoe, CEO of BHX, with his "Say YES" badge
.
Following the decision by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
to defer Birmingham International Airport's Planning
Application to extend its runway subject to further negotiations,
the CEO of the Airport, Paul Kehoe, said:
.
"The Airport Company is pleased that the Council is unanimously
minded to approve the Airport's Planning Application subject to a
further review of Section 106 Agreements that provide protection
and reassurance for local people. "Although it is disappointing that
we did not get approval this evening, the Airport will continue the
dialogue with Solihull Council so that a positive decision can be
made early in the New Year.
.
"In the meantime, I would like to thank my team for their tireless
work so far over the last two years, and to all of our supporters in
the Region who have shown passion and support for our plans."
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The Airport's current runway limits the range of long-haul
destinations available, which currently include: the East Coast of
America and some parts of the Middle East and India. A runway
extension would allow the Airport to accommodate flights to the
West Coast of America, South Africa, South America and Asia,
and would go a long way in clawing back some 64% of demand
which currently goes outside of the region for air travel.
.
Please keep your "Say YES" badge - we are
going to need them again in 2009!

BAEG launch "Say YES" display in "Aviation Experience" at the airport

Gordon Stretch, BAEG, and John Payne of the Aviation Experience
at the launch of the "Say YES" display at the Airport
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The Birmingham Aviation Enthusiasts Group - BAEG - has
now launched its display in the "Aviation Experience" at the
Airport in support of the airport's plans to extend the
runway at BHX.
.
Illustrated plans of the proposed Runway Extension that
were prepared by the Airport Company as part of the
planning consultation are now on display again with
supporting information provided by BAEG
.
"Say YES" badges are also now available from both the
"Aviation Experience" and the Information desk in the
Millennium link between Terminal 1 and 2

BHX's CEO welcomes Solihull decision to support Runway Extension planning application!!‏

RUNWAY DECISION COULD BE REGION'S
BEST GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS
.
The CEO of Birmingham International Airport, Paul Kehoe,
has made another call to the region to support its plans to
extend the runway, and says that a positive decision would
be the Region's best Christmas gift.
.
On Monday 15th December 2008, Solihull Metropolitan
Borough Council is expected to decide on whether the
Airport can proceed with plans to build a 400 metre
extension to its runway.
.
Solihull MBC Planning Officers have recommended that
Councillors approve the Planning Application. Paul Kehoe,
said, "It is important we obtain this decision to improve
global connectivity, enhance economic growth and support
the development of new jobs for local people. Being able to
fly from Birmingham could take millions of cars off the
roads by clawing back Midlands based traffic from other
UK Airports.
.
"Without it, overseas investors in the region could go
elsewhere; it's happened before. Our proposals for a
runway extension are proportionate and comply with
all appropriate National, Regional and Local Policies.
.
This is a demanding project and the first critical step
in its delivery is gaining planning approval.
.
"Forecasts for Birmingham show that growth will
occur with or without a runway. However, of the
27 million passengers projected to travel through
Birmingham by 2030, four million of these would be
as a result of the runway extension, and as an
extension would provide global connections, these
four million would be very important, bringing
wealth and prosperity through overseas investment
and supporting regional business, commerce,
industry and tourism.
.
Paul Kehoe, continued, "The Planning Application
is not about whether Aviation is `good' or `bad'. It's
about meeting policy objectives, protecting the
well-being of local people and mitigating
environmental impacts. Even by 2030, the number
of extra departures, as a result of a runway extension,
will only total 23 a day but in return will almost
double the number of job opportunities supported by
the Airport.
.
"Extensive research carried out as part of the
Application shows that the environmental affects of
the proposal, compared to without the extension, are
negligible. All emissions would stay within acknowledged
standards, natural habitats would be protected, no
veteran trees would be lost, and other hedgerows and
trees would be replaced locally. There would also be a
legally-binding agreement that the Airport complies
with, as it has previously.
.
Anyone wishing to show their support for the runway
extension can still write to Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Council, quoting `Planning Services' and
`Application 2008/22' at: connectcc@solihull.gov.uk or
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Planning Services,
Po Box 11652, Solihull, West Midlands B91 9YA
Birmingham’s Aviation Enthusiasts

Say “YES” to BHX’s proposed
Runway Extension
.
Birmingham Airport’s local aviation enthusiast
group today welcomed the news that Solihull
Metropolitan Borough Council was being
recommended to approve - subject to
conditions - Birmingham Airport’s proposed
400 metre runway extension at its
Planning committee meeting
on Monday 15th December 2008
.
To mark this fantastic news for both the airport
and the region as a whole the Group would like to
record its support for the airport’s proposals and
has today launched its “Say YES” campaign to
raise awareness of the case in support of the
proposed Runway Extension at Birmingham

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Ian B is backing BHX! - are you?
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This www site is designed to give an overview of
the proposals - with pictures and a plan! - as well
as some background and other information on
developments at Birmingham Airport - BHX
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John P and Shaida at the "Aviation Experience"
are backing BHX! - are you?
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From week commencing 8th December 2008 we
have arranged for the plans, images etc used
during the planning consultation to be on
display again in the "Aviation Experience" on the
third (top) floor of Terminal 1 at the airport
.
Paul S, Ron K and John M are backing BHX! - are you?
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We are also running a poll! - see top right corner -
.
It is entirely unscientific but it is designed to give
local aviation enthusiasts, those who work at the
airport and their friends, families and other
airport supporters – the “silent majority” - the
opportunity to record their support for the
Airport Company’s plans to extend the runway
at Birmingham Airport
.
Please vote now!
.
Thanks
.
Gordon Stretch
BAEG
.
Support Birmingham Airport’s
proposed Runway Extension!

The proposal

The proposal is to extend the existing Runway
15/33 at Birmingham International Airport by
400 metres, from 2,600 metres to 3,000 metres
.
The extension requires the A45 Coventry Road
to be religned in a tunnel
.
As part of the overall scheme it will be necessary
to provide a new Air Traffic Control Tower, revise
the existing Airfield and Taxiway layout, Airport
Fuel Farm and Airfield Drainage Systems
.
The Planning Application for the proposed Runway
Extension includes an extensive programme of
enviromental mitiagation and a Travel Plan

Why does BHX need a Runway Extension?

Access to air transport is vital to the Midlands
Region – for which Birmingham Airport is the
primary gateway – in terms of“international
connectivity”
.

BHX serves the whole Midlands Region

In the “global economy” that we now live in
local commerce, industry and Tourism needs
to be connected directly to world cities and
markets to support both local business
opportunities and inward investment
.

On 15th December 2008 Turkish Airlines will be starting a service
from Istanbul - first flight will be operated by an Airbus A321
.
BHX’s current runway length results in restrictions
on aircraft take off weight/fuel load which limits
the number of long haul destinations that can
be served on a “non stop” basis
.
US Airways are starting a service from Philadelphia in May 2009
.
In today’s world that is no longer acceptable!
– Birmingham aspires to be a “World class city” –
its airport must allow it to be connected to the
World!!

The planning application

Full details of the planning application
for the proposed Runway Extension at
Birmingham Airport can be seen at
.
and Solihull Metropolitan Borough
Councils www site at

The decision making process

Solihull Council will be considering Birmingham
Airport’s proposed Runway Extension at its
planning meeting on Monday 15th December 2008
.
Support Birmingham Airport’s
proposed Runway Extension!

The consultation

Prior to submitting the Planning Application for
the proposed Runway Extension the Airport
Company undertook an extensive public
consultation exercise with the "BHX bus"
visiting local communities around the airport
.
This display can now be seen again in the
"Aviation Experience" on the third (top)
floor of Terminal 1 at the airport
.
Consultation is an ongoing process with the
Airport visiting both events and communities
around the airport on a regular basis
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For more information see -
.
http://www.bhx.co.uk/enviroment

New International Pier at BHX

Work is already in progress at BHX on the new
"International Pier" that will replace the current
out-dated facility that has been in use since
1984 when the current terminal opened
This is the single biggest investment that the
Airport has made in over 20 years
.
The new facility will provide air-bridged aircraft
parking for seven wide-bodied aircraft and enough
space to serve 13 smaller aircraft at any given time.
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The new Pier will be a three storey construction;
240 metres longand 24 metres wide. Departing
passengers will be accommodated on the top
level, with arriving passengers on the middle
level and office accommodation for airline and
handling agents on the ground floor
.

Where it all began in 1939!!

Birmingham - Elmdon - Airport was opened by
HRH The Duchess of Kent on the 8th July 1939
.
The original terminal building - on the Elmdon
site - remains in use as the Control Tower and
a Business Aviation Centre
.
The passenger terminal remained on the Elmdon
site until 1984 when the current passenger
terminal opened
.
The orginal (cross) runway - 06/24 finally
closed on 31 December 2007
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The Airport will be celebrating its
70th anniversary in 2009

We are all saying YES to "RX at BHX"!!

Are you backing BHX? - we are!

You can see our photographs at -

http://baeg.blogspot.com/

Birmingham Aviation Enthusiasts Group