Airport Name: Birmingham Airport
Airport Code: BHX
Telephone: +44 (0)121 767 5511
Address: Birmingham International Airport,
Birmingham,
West Midlands,
B26 3QJ

Birmingham International Airport is located 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre, at the centre of England and the centre of the UK's motorway network. The airport was first opened in 1939 when it was owned by the city council as a municipal airport. Today Birmingham International Airport is the UK's 5th largest airport, and the second largest airport outside London, with 50 airlines flying to over 100 destinations. In 2003 Birmingham Airport was voted the "Best UK Business Airport".

Birmingham International Airport is located 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre, at the centre of England and the centre of the UK's motorway network.

From Birmingham city centre take the A45 east towards Coventry. From the south or north of England take the M42 (which links to the M40 and M1 from London, M6 from Manchester and M5 from the south east). Come off at junction 6 taking the A45 towards the city centre. The Airport turnoff is only 1 mile and is well signposted.

Getting there by Taxi

There is an official taxi rank outside the Airport Passenger Terminals where Black Cabs provides a 24 hour service. Each taxi carries up to 5 people (some may carry 6) with luggage, and is constructed to take wheelchairs. For further information contact Black Cabs.

Getting there by Bus / Coach

National Express operate long distance coach services connecting a number of major cities with Birmingham Airport. There is also an inter-airport service provided by Flightlink coaches. Contact National Express or Flightlink.

Local buses stop outside the passenger terminals and provide connections with the city centre and the surrounding districts. The 900 Airport Link operates between the passenger terminals and the city centre every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes evenings and Saturdays. For more details contact Traveline.

Getting there by Train

Birmingham International railway station is directly linked to the airport passenger Terminals by SkyRail. The SkyRail is free, operates about every 2 minutes when the rail station is open and the journey takes less than 2 minutes.

To get to Birmingham City centre it is a 10-15 minute journey from Birmingham International rail station to Birmingham New Street staion, located in the heart of the city centre. There are 6-7 trains running an hour during the day, less frequently in the evenings and at the weekend and no trains during the night. For more information contact National Rail.

Facilities

Services

• Bureau de Change - Throughout both terminals
  
• Cash Points - throughout both terminals
  
• Business Facilities - Executives lounges, meeting room and business booths in terminal 1.
  
• Internet facilities throughout
  
• Car Hire - available from the car hire firms that are located in the Millenium Link Walkway
  
• Taxis - official taxi rank outside the Airport Passenger Terminals
  
• Left Luggage - Terminal 1, 1st floor
  

Shopping

There are a number of shops in the airport, throughout both terminals:

• Terminal 1 - Spar, National Trust Shop, Body Shop, W H Smiths, Salisburys, Claire's Accessories, Gifts 4 All, Impulse, Thorntons, Boots, Book Bound, Tie Rack/ Rolling Luggage, Alpha Retail and Duty Free, Books Plus Music, Kidz, Zinc Open, W H Smith, Gadget Shop, Boots, Dixons, Sunglasses Studio, Claire's Accessories, Soft Shoe Co, Perfume and Cosmetics Shop
  
• Terminal 2 - World News, Alpha Retail and Duty Free, Photo Optix Books Plus
  

Eating

Terminal 1

• Viva Coffee
  
• Delice de France
  
• Café Ritazza
  
• Blues Music Bar
  
• Burger King
  
• Abraham Darby Pub
  
• Food Village
  
• Millies Cookies
  
• Starbucks
  
• Bar 08
  
• Shakespeare Ale House
  
• Costa Coffee
  
• Deli Sandwich Bar
  

Terminal 2

• Viva Coffee
  
• Village Grill
  
• Bar de Voyages
  

Disabled

• Wheelchairs available on request
  
• Easy access to facilities on the ground floor and signposted lifts to other levels
  
• Toilet facilities for the disabled throughout both terminals as well as in the Multi-Storey car park
  
• Purpose built lift vehicle offering assistance with embarkation and disembarkation of aircraft
  
• MINICOM system installed at the Terminal 1 Airport Information Desk. Special MINICOM number: +44 (0) 121 767 8084
  
• Staff able to communicate using sign language available at Information Desk
  
• Induction Loop System which amplifies announcements for passengers wearing hearing aids
  
• 'Deaf Alerter' system, a small hand held unit which alerts the user in the event of a fire alarm
  

Children

• Nappy changing rooms available at all times throughout both terminals
  
• Serendipity Games offers video games, amusements and rides in both terminals
  
• The Aviation Experience - 3rd floor in Terminal 1, offers airfield views, a games centre, interactive screens and models, bookshop and refreshments. It is open 7 days from 08:00 - 21:00 and admission is free to passengers.
  
• Children's play area located next to Starbucks in the departure lounge in Terminal 1.

Parking

There are three pre-book Birmingham airport parking options, you can choose from the following car parks:

• Airparks Services (min stay 1 day)
  
• APH (min stay 1 day)
  
• CPS Personal Parking (min stay 3 days)
  

Short Stay

The short stay car park is located right next to the terminal and ideal for drop offs and pick ups and stays up to two hours.

• A 30 minute stay will cost you £1.20.
  

Mutli Storey

This car parking option is ideal for stays up to a week. There are three multi story car parks within walking distance of the terminal.

• Prices start at £2.60 for up to an hour.
  

Long Stay

The long stay car parks are ideal for stays over a week. A courtesy bus regularly transports passengers from the car parks to the terminal. It is advisable to book long stay airport parking at Birmingham in advance.

To book long stay parking at Birmingham airport call +44 (0)870 733 0778

Valet Parking

Valet parking at Birmingham is ideal for passengers who do not wish to transfer between the car park and the terminal. A chauffer will meet you at the terminal and transport your car to a secure compaound, leaving you free to check in with plenty of time and no hassle. Your car will then be delivered back to you at the terminal on your return.

For more information and to book valet parking at Birmingham airport call
+44 (0)870 844 2371

History

• Birmingham airport was first opened in 1939. It was owned by the city council as a municipal airport.
  
• During wartime the Air Ministry took over and developed the site, building two hard runways.
  
• In 1946 the airport reopened and civil flights recommenced.
  
• By 1954 there were services to Dublin, Belfast, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Jersey but the length of the runways restricted the use of larger aircrafts.
  
• In1966 the main runway was expanded and more jets started using the airport. The need for expansion became evident as international flights became available.
  
• The opening of the National Exhibition Centre just minutes away helped promote the airport in the late 1970's and in May 1984 the Main Terminal was opened by The Queen giving opportunity for more routes and an increase of passengers using Birmingham Airport.
  
• Further development of the main runway helped attract scheduled flights to the USA and charter flights further afield to destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
  
• To accommodate such expansion a second terminal was opened in 1991. The Eurohub was to be used by British Airways and its partners and be the first terminal in the world to combine domestic and international passengers.
  
• Passenger numbers continued to increase annually as did development to both terminals and facilities.
  
• The year 2002 saw 8 million passengers pass through the airport, an increase of 2.8% from the previous year.
  
• Numbers continued to rise and in 2003, 9 million passengers passed through.
  
• Today Birmingham International Airport is the UK's 5th largest airport, the 2nd outside London and was voted 'Best UK Business Airport' in 2003. There are over 50 airlines flying to over 100 destinations. The airport has superb road and rail links, great facilities and there is ongoing improvement and development.