![\"shutterstock_1181594698\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2017990_shutterstock_1181594698_921474.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Birmingham Airport has appointed global built environment consultancy Arup to lead the development of its new masterplan, setting out a long-term vision for the airport\u2019s growth and transformation through to 2041.<\/p>\n
Having returned to pre-pandemic passenger volumes, Birmingham Airport has announced a \u00a3300 million investment over the next four years to modernise its infrastructure.\u00a0The masterplan will define how the airport will evolve to serve an increasing number of passengers and airlines while focusing on sustainability, operational efficiency and an enhanced passenger experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted to have Arup on board, who are world-class at planning major infrastructure projects,\u201d said Ian Taylor, development and construction director at Birmingham Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cBirmingham Airport is set to grow steadily in the coming years, and we need to ensure it is fit for the future, both in the terminal and on the runway. This is about ensuring the airport can accommodate future capacity efficiently and sustainably, and we\u2019re excited to see the next chapter in our history.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Elmdon](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2017991_elmdonhisoricengland_492794_crop.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Brief history of Birmingham Airport<\/strong><\/p>\n Birmingham Airport first opened in 1939 as Elmdon Airport, named after the nearby village. Its original terminal building, designed in the Art Deco style, reflected the optimism of early civil aviation. Located on the western side of the airfield, the terminal featured a rooftop viewing terrace and direct access to aircraft via the apron below.<\/p>\n Requisitioned during the Second World War for military use, the airport returned to civilian operations in 1946, expanding steadily in the post-war years. The original Elmdon terminal still stands today as a Grade II listed building, a rare surviving example of 1930s airport architecture and a reminder of Birmingham\u2019s early role in the golden age of air travel.<\/p>\n The airport was once linked to Birmingham International railway station by an elevated maglev monorail, introduced in 1984 as the world\u2019s first commercial magnetic levitation system, offering a short but futuristic connection across the site before being replaced in 1995 by a conventional cable-hauled people mover.<\/p>\n Alan Newbold, aviation business leader for UKIMEA and Europe at Arup, said: \u201cWell-planned, sustainable airport growth is a vital enabler of economic opportunity, connectivity and regional prosperity. Arup is excited to support Birmingham Airport\u2019s ambition to deliver this through its long-term masterplan, underpinned by a clear focus on sustainability, social value and stakeholder engagement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to providing the technical expertise and strategic insight needed to ensure BHX\u2019s development supports climate goals and the West Midlands\u2019 future growth, while contributing to national prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n Work has already begun with key airport stakeholders, with a draft masterplan expected to be unveiled for public consultation in summer 2026. This consultation will invite feedback from local communities and stakeholders to help shape the airport\u2019s future development.<\/p>\n Airport projects have become a growing flashpoint in the profession, with architects divided over whether involvement in aviation work undermines commitments to tackling climate change. While Architects Declare has called for a move away from high-carbon sectors, others argue that architects have a vital role in helping airports cut emissions and transition towards net zero.<\/p>\n The announcement follows news that Macquarie Asset Management has acquired a 26.5% stake in the airport.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Birmingham Airport has appointed global built environment consultancy Arup to lead the development of its new masterplan, setting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":563665,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7820],"tags":[855,748,393,4884,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-563664","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-birmingham","8":"tag-birmingham","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-england","11":"tag-great-britain","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115531356917044511","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=563664"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/563664\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/563665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=563664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=563664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=563664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}