Birmingham Airport (BHX) is experiencing a surge in passenger numbers and is actively expanding its route network to accommodate the growing demand. In 2023, the airport welcomed 11.4 million passengers, a remarkable 19.6% increase compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to the airport’s strategic location in the Midlands region of England, serving a catchment area of over 10 million people within an hour’s travel. This reach is expected to further expand with the completion of HS2, a high-speed rail line that will reduce travel time to central London to just 37 minutes by the end of the decade.
BHX currently offers connections to over 130 destinations, served by a diverse range of airlines. Major low-cost and leisure carriers like Ryanair, Jet2.com, TUI, and easyJet maintain bases at the airport, offering a wide selection of destinations. European full-service carriers, including KLM, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Air France, SAS, and others, also have a longstanding presence at BHX, providing connections to various European cities.
The airport is also a key hub for long-haul carriers, offering flights to the east with airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air India, and Saudia. However, BHX is not resting on its laurels. With a goal to serve 18 million passengers by 2033, the airport is actively working to expand its route network, particularly to Asia and North America. This ambitious growth plan is reflected in a series of recent developments.
In March 2024, easyJet launched a new base at BHX, deploying three aircraft and offering 33 routes from the city. The airline plans to introduce new routes for winter 2024 to destinations such as Hurghada in Egypt, Rovaniemi in Finland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Marrakech in Morocco, Krakow in Poland, and Reykjavik in Iceland. Jet2.com is preparing to launch routes to Jerez and Costa de la Luz for the summer 2025 schedule, following the addition of new routes this year to Tivat, Bergen, and Gdansk. SunExpress has expanded its services to Turkey, now offering 25 weekly flights from BHX to Antalya, Dalaman, and Izmir. Meanwhile, Ryanair, which increased its BHX fleet to seven aircraft this summer, has introduced new routes to Tirana, Paris, and Derry. Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus has also recently increased its flights to its Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen hub. BHX was also chosen for the inaugural flight of Lufthansa City Airlines, further enhancing the popular Birmingham-Munich route.
As a member of Routes 360, an exclusive digital platform focused on route development, Birmingham Airport (BHX) has listed several route opportunities on its profile. This proactive approach demonstrates the airport’s commitment to attracting new airlines and expanding its reach. The future looks bright for Birmingham Airport as it continues to grow and develop its route network, offering passengers a wider range of destinations and travel options.
