Memorandum submitted by Birmingham International Airport (CBPS 134)

1. Introduction

1.1 Birmingham International Airport is the sixth largest airport in the UK, with 9,634,734 passengers in 2008. 

1.2 We offer a wide range of short- and long-haul services to more than 140 destinations worldwide, from a variety of leading scheduled and charter airlines.

1.3 Forty-nine percent of Birmingham International Airport is owned by the seven District Councils of the West Midlands, 48.25% by Airport Group Investments Limited (a limited company owned by the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan and Victoria Funds Management Corporation), with the remaining 2.75% being held by employees through an Employee Trust Fund.

2. Birmingham International Airport - Passengers from Wales

2.1 The primary catchment of Birmingham International Airport (the number of inhabitants within an area defined as a 1-hour drive) is 8.0 million.

2.2 The airport has excellent road and rail links to the north-west (M6), north-east (M42-M1), south-east (M40) and south-west (M5). The 'Air-Rail Link' - a 'People Mover' - links the Airport with a main line railway station; and it is the only Airport in the UK with such a spread of direct rail journey opportunities.

2.3 A passenger survey carried out at the airport in 2007 identified that only around 1.5% of our total passengers originated in Wales (sample size 8,329 passengers).

2.4 For many passengers in Wales, Birmingham remains the most convenient airport, as in many cases it is a faster surface journey to Birmingham than any other alternative airport. Even for residents of South Wales, Birmingham is able to offer certain routes and services that would not be available at smaller local airports such as Cardiff or Bristol.

2.5 'Welsh passengers' identified in the 2007 survey originated from the following areas:

3. Surface Access

3.1 Road transport links between Birmingham and mid-Wales are not as developed as those linking major population centres such as the M6, M5 and M40 corridors.

3.2 In 2007, 20.4% (with 10.7% by Rail) of the Airport's passenger's arrived by public transport (and for the last twelve months to the end of September 2008, this had risen to 23.0%, with 12.6% by rail).The Airport has Public Transport Modal Share targets of 25% for 2012, 30% for 2020 and 35% for 2030 (as set out in its Master Plan).

3.3 The complexity of existing rail transport governance is a key challenge for the Airport, in working with the various stakeholders to provide better rail access for the Airport, including direct services to Birmingham International Station, a wider network of services throughout its catchment area and increased frequencies (to include early morning, evening and late night services), which would take advantage of the airport's unique location on a main line railway.

3.4 Rail links for the Airport to South Wales, North Wales and Mid Wales via Birmingham New Street Station are very good and the following details services between Birmingham International Station and South Wales. Services to North Wales and Mid Wales have only recently commenced with the service by Arriva Trains Wales.

a. There is a two-hourly Arriva Trains Wales service from North Wales via Wrexham  to Birmingham International which started in December 2008.

b. There is a two-hourly Arriva Trains Wales service from Mid Wales  to Birmingham International which started in December 2008.

c. The Wrexham and Shropshire service (which started April 2008) goes to Marylebone but is not allowed to stop the 5 trains-a-day at Birmingham International.

d. Virgin trains operate a service to Chester (with some going into North Wales) but they do not go via Wrexham or Birmingham. The service was due to be increased from 26 January 2009 but this has been delayed.

3.5 The full range of flight destinations can only be accessed if passengers can arrive before check-in closes (the 0530-0730 period is particularly underserved); there are also inbound flights during the late evening, which would not make onward connecting rail services.

3.6 Examples of 'earliest arrivals' from selected locations:

It is noted that two cross-Border services have recently started from Wrexham; Sadly the first of these (operated by Virgin Trains, to London Euston) is diverted away from the Birmingham area and does not call and the second (operated by Wrexham & Shropshire Trains, to London Marylebone) passes through Birmingham International Station yet does not call. More direct trains for the Airport, between Birmingham International Station and Wales, would provide for better customer service, without the need to interchange at Birmingham New Street Station (such a change could become increasingly problematic during proposed rebuilding works). 

4. Future Developments

4.1 Birmingham Airport is currently in the process of applying for planning permission for a runway extension. Subject to an agreed Business case, this would allow services to operate on longer routes to key emerging global markets. The Local Authority is 'minded to approve' the application.

4.2 The strategy of Birmingham Airport is to serve local demand by improving the range of services available, moving from a 'local, European' to a 'global' airport.  This means improving the connectivity of the region, driving economic development and business links.

4.3 Our development proposals and Strategy are aligned with the 2003 White Paper on Aviation.

5. Marketing in Wales by Birmingham International Airport

5.1 The Airport magazine - 'Cloud Nine' - is mailed (to people who have opted to join the Airport's mailing list) 3 times a year to over 100,000 customers, with 2069 members in Shropshire, 2396 in North and Mid Wales, and 944 in South Wales. The Airport also sends an email newsletter each week to the email mailing list of 28,000. Although postal addresses aren't known, it can be assumed that a percentage will live in Shropshire and Wales.

5.2 The Airport sends press releases direct to most key print and broadcast media in Wales and the Borders; this is supplemented by distribution via various Press Agencies. The Airport also encourages trial of its products and those of its customer Airlines. Welsh titles are included in the invitations for events in 2009.

5.3 To communicate with the travel industry, the Airport regularly promotes itself to travel agencies. This will include agencies in Shropshire/Welsh Borders who receive Travel Weekly magazine, in which the Airport places monthly full page adverts.

5.4 Three times a year, a team of sales representatives visits travel agencies over a two- week period to distribute leaflets and news updates from the airport. This campaign covers 23 agencies in Shropshire, 25 in Gwent and 61 in South/Mid Glamorgan.

5.5 The Airport's marketing effort and spend is proportionate to the current customer base. The Airport's primary marketing effort addresses the 1-hour catchment. The Airport would, however, welcome greater engagement and partnership with those agencies whose remit it is to promote Wales and access to Wales.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Birmingham Airport's geographical position means that it is able to offer services to passengers whether they are resident in (or visiting) south-, mid- or north- Wales.

6.2 However, cross-border infrastructure and services are not as strong as other links to the Airport.

6.3. Some trains from Wales (Wrexham) pass through Birmingham International Station but do not call. Addressing this issue (including associated regulatory and 'moderation of competition' agreements), would provide additional connectivity.

6.4 Birmingham Airport works with a range of key stakeholders to improve surface access. It would welcome approaches and support from any organisations sharing the same interest.

6.5 Birmingham Airport would welcome a partnership approach with agencies tasked to promote and communicate connectivity, access and visitors to Wales.

January 2009