Noting proposals for an airport in the Thames Estuary, there is a more efficient, much less costly and practically instantaneous way to reduce the pressure on Heathrow. In layman’s terms Birmingham could take another 9 million passengers tomorrow within the existing infrastructure. This could have an enormous beneficial effect on the local economy, and create jobs in a region that is becoming progressively needier.

The 2003 Aviation White Paper encouraged airports to provide for demand in their natural catchments. Birmingham is working towards this, though a significant proportion of Midlands business goes to Heathrow. Birmingham is the only airport with a significant Planning Consent (for a runway extension) already agreed.

Undoubtedly, part of the Solution to the ‘Heathrow problem’ is a High-Speed Rail link so that people can ‘Fly the Train’. Another element is called Birmingham. In less time than it takes some to walk from one side of Heathrow’ to the other – 38 minutes – High-Speed Rail could get you to Birmingham Airport (this is less than the 45-60 minutes mooted for a link to the Estuary Airport).

Birmingham could take another 9 Million Passengers tomorrow (i.e. within existing infrastructure), and the Master Plan to 2030 sees 18 million more passengers using Birmingham. Theresa Villiers has already acknowledged that, together with a High Speed Rail link, Birmingham could perform this role (see note to Editors).

Even Kent (Ebbsfleet) would probably be less than an hour from Birmingham Airport, by High Speed Rail.

Birmingham is not seeking to transplant the Heathrow operation in its entirety, but South East traffic could form an element of Birmingham’s wider portfolio. Around 50% of the UK population is less than a two-hour drive from Birmingham. High Speed Rail could bring them much nearer, with Central London only 40 minutes away, putting Birmingham in ‘Zone 4’ of the Underground Map.

Birmingham has an excellent environmental record and one of the most stringent night flying regimes – there are binding agreements in place to protect the interests of local people.  However within those binding agreements there is still tremendous opportunity. The Airport is running at less than 40% capacity. Making best use of the UK’s Strategic Resources can only be in everyone’s interests.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Birmingham is ready to respond to any current or future government initiatives. We already attract passengers from the home-counties who choose the convenience, choice and accessibility of Birmingham over other alternatives.

“We have plenty of capacity and, linked to high-speed rail, we are uniquely positioned to not only claw back people from our own region, who make the long journey to Heathrow, but to attract passengers from the overheated south east.

“We will not just be London’s third runway as we have our own traffic – but by attracting those who waver towards Heathrow to use Birmingham instead, will create jobs and help to rebuild the local economy.

“Positioned at the heart of the country we are perfectly placed for those visitors from abroad who want to experience all that the region, and further afield, has to offer. Birmingham’s reputation continues to rise and is truly a destination which provides the perfect base for foreign visitors.”