To commemorate Birmingham Airport's 70th Anniversary, Emirates flew its Airbus A380 - the world's largest airliner -
into Birmingham on its luchtime service from Dubai on
9th September 2009, marking the first ever A380 flight to
land at a UK regional Airport.
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On arrival, the aircraft parked on the Airport's new £50m
On arrival, the aircraft parked on the Airport's new £50m
"International Pier" on Terminal One and was welcomed by
500 guests from the travel industry, the Midlands' business
community and media.
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More than 20 vintage aircraft in memory of the early days at
More than 20 vintage aircraft in memory of the early days at
"Elmdon", the Airport’s original 1930s terminal, made a special
appearance and parked at the original site.
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Opening just 14 months after the construction began, the new
International Pier is the single biggest investment that the
Airport has made in over 20 years and provides a state-of-the
-art extension, replacing the former out-dated facility
constructed in 1984 when the current passenger site was
opened after moving from Elmdon.
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The three storey construction is 240 metres long and 24 metres
wide and is in keeping with the bright and modern architecture
seen throughout the airport. It provides air-bridged aircraft
parking for seven wide-bodied aircraft and has enough space to
serve 13 smaller aircraft at any given time. Departing passengers
are accommodated on the top level and arriving passengers on
the middle level. Airlines and handling agents are housed on the
ground floor.
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Paul Kehoe, the Airport’s CEO, said, “Our new International Pier provides a high quality gateway into the Midlands and is
key as we prepare to double our passenger numbers to 18 million
in the next 10 years and meet our aspirations to improve global
connectivity from the Midlands.
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"As demonstrated with the Airbus A380, the Pier is capable
"As demonstrated with the Airbus A380, the Pier is capable
of accommodating the largest of today’s "next generation"
environmentally-efficient aircraft, such as the Airbus A380,
Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 ‘Dreamliner’, as well as the aircraft
types we see at Birmingham today like the Airbus A330,
Boeing 747 and 777.
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“Together with the future runway extension, we’ll have the
“Together with the future runway extension, we’ll have the
infrastructure and facilities to attract new airlines and increase
our regional market by offering new direct long haul destinations
to all corners of the globe, providing a truly International airport
for the region.”
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The main sponsors of the 9th September event were Advantage
West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, and
Laing O’Rourke Construction North Ltd, the main construction
company for the International Pier.
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Nigel Russell, Head of Tourism and Culture for Advantage West
Midlands, said: “First impressions often make lasting
impressions and our support for today’s event marks the start
of a closer working relationship with BIA to ensure the
West Midlands region is recognised as the Heart of England
- a global centre where people and businesses choose to connect."
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Tony Douglas, COO at Laing O’Rourke, said, “I’m delighted that
Laing O’Rourke has played a significant part in today’s
celebrations and proud that our team’s air sector expertise
has successfully delivered an exceptional building for
Birmingham International Airport. The new Pier will play its
part in the Airport’s future ambitions as an International
airport and I hope that our working partnership continues
in the realisation of future plans.”
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The airport would like to also thank all the other partners
that supported the event and made it such a historic occasion.
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