The Sky’s the Limit As Airport Trade Takes-Off

BIRMI NGHAM’S booming airport may have to erect temporary marquees to accommodate passengers as a stop gap until a new pounds 29 million terminal is completed.

The warning from Elmdon director Mr. Bob Taylor was coupled with a forecast that the airport is heading for record passenger figures yet again.

Last year the number of passengers pouring through Birmingham airport totaled more than 1,300,000-a 2.2 per cent, increase.

And this year the figure is set to break the 11/2 million mark.

Increase

On the way to the new record Elmdon has already surpassed its previous figures for the number of passengers in a 24-hour period.

The new 7,365 total was set last month.

Reported Mr. Taylor: “We have contingency plans to cope with the increase in passengers and they will involve spending more money because we just can’t turn passengers away, “We may have to go for temporary marquees,” he warned West Midland County Councillors.

Future prospects for Birmingham airport-it chalked up a pounds 963,000 profit on operations last year- include more car parking: the pounds 12000 development of a walk-out duty-free shop and increased charges for short-stay car parking.

(c) 2008 Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.