Latest news with #BHX
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Birmingham Airport changes ahead of 'busiest Easter on record' as 650,000 passengers expected
Birmingham Airport has told passengers jetting off on their Easter holidays to expect a number of changes inside the terminal. The Solihull-based airport is bracing for its "busiest Easter on record" with an expected 15 per cent increase in customers year-on-year and more than 650,000 passengers expected through the doors for the Easter break. This Easter, Dubai, Antalya, Alicante and Palma de Mallorca are the most popular beach breaks and Amsterdam, Istanbul and Paris are the most sought-after city breaks from Birmingham. READ MORE: Birmingham Airport changes in 'busiest year ever' - from security and parking to new routes Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp As the terminal braces for record numbers, BHX bosses have flagged a number of changes that passengers will see in the terminal following "a series of significant investments to enhance customer service". Birmingham Airport has also issued guidance for people travelling through security to help ensure a smooth experience as new changes are rolled out. A key change, introduced in March, is the opening of two additional security screening lanes at the airport. Described as "two state-of-the-art" lanes, the new lanes will have a capacity to successfully screen up to 3,600 passengers and their luggage per hour in peak times. However this will only work at its best if people stick to packing the correct liquids in their hand luggage and avoid non-compliant items. At the start of March, BHX appointed a new assisted travel partnership to in a bid to "focus on passenger experience enhancements." From April 1, Wilson James was announced as the new operators of the assisted travel system in the terminal. Birmingham Airport also revealed plans to invest £10 million into the development of an additional outbound baggage carousel in the North Terminal, as well as a reconfiguration and expansion of the south immigration area. The airport said this will bring in "potential for faster processing times". Work on a 'full reconfiguration' of the south arrivals area is already under way, but no fixed date has been confirmed for when passengers will see this change come into effect. Al Titterington, Terminal Operations Director of Birmingham Airport said: 'We are preparing for our busiest Easter holiday getaway on record with many passengers jetting off to enjoy the spring holidays. 'Since last Easter we have invested in our security area to ensure ease and simplicity for our customers travelling through the airport. "Our security hall that opened in June last year, was further complemented with a further two screening machines, enabling large electricals to stay in hand luggage, but more importantly allows liquids in containers under 100ml to remain in bags too. 'Our colleagues will be on hand in the terminal to assist customers on their way through the airport. However, we encourage all to look at our website for the latest guidance on travel.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Urgent' legal advice sought by planners after green belt challenge
A legal challenge caused mass disruption at a crucial Solihull Council planning meeting as major decisions had to be put on hold. The authority is now seeking 'urgent' legal advice to clarify how applications on green belt land should be determined going forward. Applicants and objectors expecting to speak on their items got up and left the latest meeting of the authority's planning committee on Wednesday night, (April 2). READ MORE : Plan to turn 'eyesore' derelict pub into £9 million care home moves step closer For more stories from across Solihull including BHX, breaking news, politics and what's on, sign up to our MySolihull newsletter Within minutes of it starting Councillor Bob Grinsell, chairman of the committee, read out a statement which said: 'The council are in receipt of a letter from Shoosmiths solicitors dated today (April 2) on behalf of their clients who raise a number of legal concerns in relation to two specific applications. 'One of these relates to a decision taken by this committee on Stripes Hill. 'The other relates to the application on this evening's agenda for the site at Warwick Road, Knowle. 'The concerns raised draw particular attention to the way in which the council has undertaken the assessments of the site against the grey belt test within the new national framework and supporting practice guidance. 'Due to the nature and contents of this correspondence, and the potential risk of legal challenge, the decision has been taken to defer the item pending independent King's Counsel advice to review the approach taken by council. 'Furthermore, due to the consistency of the method used by officers to assess other applications namely at Pheasant Oak Farm and Lugtrout Lane, the decision has also been taken to defer both these applications.' The chairman apologised for the 'lateness' of the decision to those who attended but stressed it was 'understandable' given the context. A further statement from Councillor Andy Macvieticz, the cabinet portfolio holder for climate change and planning, was also read out saying the authority is currently developing a new local plan - a blueprint which once adopted becomes the main consideration in deciding planning applications - which will be "in line" with new national guidelines. 'The concept of the grey belt [lower quality green belt land which means the site would be able to be used for housing] has been introduced by the recent changes to the NPPF by the government," he said. 'At this stage any planning application determination should be in line with current green belt boundaries. 'The council will clarify the position in the coming months.' As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported, a huge new retirement village providing 170 care units in Stripes Hill, Knowle, was given the green light in February. Officers had judged that land to be 'grey belt' - lower quality green belt land which means the site would be able to be used for housing. At their latest meeting committee members had been due to make a decision on 450 houses in the 'Arden Triangle' - green belt land surrounded by Warwick Road, Station Road and Grove Road. Solihull Council's officers had recommended approval saying the benefits of that scheme 'clearly outweigh the totality of the harm' (to the green belt) adding 'very special circumstances do exist'. Councillors were also due to consider 250 homes at Pheasant Oak Farm in Balsall Common and 50 homes in Lugtrout Lane, Catherine-de-Barnes. Both of those are on green belt land officers had judged to be the new 'grey belt' - a concept introduced by the Labour government to help tackle the housing shortage. It is unclear if the applications will now be considered at the next meeting of the committee which is scheduled to take place on April 30.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jet2 ‘massively expands' Birmingham Airport winter sun and city break flights
A leading low-cost airline and holiday firm has 'massively' increased the number of winter sun and city break flights and holidays from Birmingham Airport in response to rising demand. Jet2 is adding a host of extra weekly flights to winter holiday hotspots for 2025/26 from BHX and is bringing the season forward for a city break offering sun, sea and culture. Extra services are being laid on to popular destinations in the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Alicante and Madeira. READ MORE: Budget airline adds planes to Birmingham Airport base ahead of summer peak While earlier flights are being operated to Porto early in 2026 to allow families to book for the February half-term week. Additional flights to the Canaries include extra Sunday services to Lanzarote from February 25 to March 22, 2026. Extra Wednesday services will be laid on to Gran Canaria from Christmas Eve to January 7, 2026. Extra Thursday services to Tenerife from February 12 to March 26 2026. And extra Tuesday services to Fuerteventura from December 23, 2025 to January, 6 2026 – and also to Antalya in Turkey and Funchal in Madeira. Those wanting to head for some sun on the Spanish mainland will be able to take additional Saturday services to Alicante between Valentine's Day (February 14) to March 28, 2026. Or those wanting to fly to Cyprus can also take flights to Paphos on additional Monday flights from November 10 to November 24 later this year. And city break fans can head to Porto, Portugal's second city from England's, earlier in 2026, with the season brought forward with twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays, starting on February 12 through to March 26. READ MORE: I flew from BHX for first time in 13 years and found one thing gobsmacking Steve Heapy, CEO of and Jet2holidays, said: 'We are seeing continued demand for our award-winning flights and holidays and with Winter 25/26 looking so popular, we are in the position to respond with a massively expanded programme from Birmingham Airport. 'As well as extending the season to Porto, we have also put additional capacity on sale to popular winter sun destinations, meaning we are giving customers even more choice and flexibility when it comes to getting away next winter. 'Such an expansion would not be possible without customers choosing to travel with us in huge numbers, so I would like to sincerely thank our customers and independent travel agent partners for their continued support. 'We look forward to taking lots of happy holidaymakers on their well-deserved holidays next winter and showcasing our award-winning credentials.' Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox Tom Screen, aviation director of Birmingham Airport said: 'We're delighted that and Jet2holidays have directly responded to our customer's needs and expanded their programme for Winter 25/26. 'The new increased services offer even more choice for our customers looking to jet off during the winter period, whether that's for a much-needed dose of sunshine or a cultural city break.' The additional winter flights starting later this year are now on sale Jet2 said.
