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| Click Here To Book Car Hire From Birmingham Airport (BHX) | ||
| Car Hire and Car Rental From Birmingham Airport (BHX) | ||
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jThe original terminal opened on May 1st 1939, the first scheduled flight was from Liverpool by Dragon Rapide. The Air Ministry took over the site during wartime and built two hard runways. Austin built a factory on the eastern side where Stirling and Lancaster aircraft were built, wo extra hangars were constructed to house them. Civil flights recommenced in July 1946. By 1954 services to Dublin, Belfast, Jersey, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Northolt were established using Dakotas, Vikings and Viscounts. The airport now offered two hard runways - both just over 4000ft in length, restricting the use of larger, four engine aircraft. By 1959 the main runway was extended by 800ft and the first jet airliner to visit was a Comet from Lyneham in April 1961. Viscounts were now dominant on expanding services and the BEA route to Jersey was proving very popular. In the 60s Constellations, Vanguards and Electras were appearing, but the runway length still restricted operations by these larger aircraft. In 1964 the go-ahead was given to extend the main runway to 7,398ft. In spring 1966 when part of the new extension was available jet flights began with One-Elevens and Spanish Convair 990s. Noise complaints increased as more jets used the airport - including DC-8s, DC-9s, Tridents and Boeing 707s. In April 1971 BOAC VC10s began services to New York, though it was poorly supported and closed in October 1972. During peek periods the terminals became crowded and it was obvious that expansion was required as the wide-bodied jets started appearing. The first wide-body was a Laker DC-10 in 1972 followed by the first Jumbo jet, a Qantas example, arriving in June 1978. The first regular 747 flights were operated by CP Air to Toronto in 1979. British Airways began replacing Viscounts with BAC One-Eleven Jets. The National Exhibition Centre was opened and it's proximity helped to promote the airport. The first Concorde arrived in 1980 operated by Air France. Approval had now been given to construct a new terminal close to the NEC, work beginning in 1981. The new terminal was opened by The Queen in May 1984, opening the door for new routes and an increase in passengers. Birmingham’s own airline, 'Birmingham Executive', was born in 1983, opening many new routes into Europe. It later became Birmingham European until being taken over by Maersk of Denmark and then established as a British Airways franchise. In 1984 work to enlarge the terminal began and in 1989 construction began on a new airport hotel. From 1986 an expanded cargo facility could now operate near the old terminal site. In 1987 the airport became Birmingham Airport plc. The main runway could now offer 2600m(8,530ft) for take off, helping to attract scheduled flights to the USA. American started services to Chicago using Boeing 767s shortly followed by Continental with Boeing 757s and DC-10s to New York. Charter flights became available to the Dominican Republic and recently Mexico. In 1991 the Eurohub was opened, used by British Airways and it's partners. Noisy jets were very rare by 1998 with the replacement of older 737s and BAC 1-11s with new generation aircraft. Passenger numbers increased year by year so large-scale development plans were drawn up. This will increase the size of both terminals and the parking areas. Air Traffic Control facilities have improved with the installation of ground surface radar for use in low visibility. By the late 1990s air transport movements have increased at a high rate to 111,000 and at peak times during weekday mornings there is now one movement every 60 seconds. In 1999 there were up to 13 charter aircraft based at the airport daily during the Summer and on busy Summer mornings up to 7 wide-bodied transatlantic flights were handled. 7 million passengers were handled during 1999, currently increasing at a steady annual rate. This is quite an achievement when you consider that no 'low cost, no frills' airline is based at Birmingham, where as other airports have seen passenger figures swell with the arrival of such airlines. The future looks very bright, with improved facilities, quieter aircraft and many new short and long haul routes in prospect. As the Airport moves into the new millennium expansion continues. Long haul routes to Asia are increasing, two flights by 747 were operated by Pakistan International (now 6 A310s a week operate the service) and Uzbekistan now link Birmingham with Tashkent and New York JFK. By Summer 2000 all BA's noisy 737s were replaced by quiet Airbus 319. Jersey European have set up a major hub at the airport with 5 aircraft now based operating an expanding network with CRJs and new Dash-8s as well as the quiet 146. Embraer 145s are becoming frequent sights with Brymon, Lufthansa and British Midland using the type now. Summer 2000 saw 6 flights on some weeks to Florida and there was 14 based charter aircraft. Work on the airport continues with more lounges, airbridges, multi-story car parks and taxiways. On 18th December 2000 one of the World's major airlines, Emirates started daily flights to Dubai with Airbus A330s. This will allow convenient access to Asia and Australia. Some Asian airlines have chosen the airport as a stopover for flights to North America. The airport continues to freeze it's charges in a bid to attract new services. The latest being CSA of Slovakia with a Prague service from March 2001. A new Maglev replacement, transport interchange, approach road and satellite terminal and new airbridges will all be constructed between 2001 and 2004 leaving the airport capable of handling 10 million passengers a year and with facilities to be proud of. | ||
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