Mace celebrates opening of new International Pier at Birmingham International Airport
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30/09/2009
Mace Group has helped to successfully deliver the £50m new International Pier to Birmingham International Airport in time for the airport’s 70th anniversary celebrations. Mace was appointed in 2006 to manage the procurement, design and construction of the new pier with Mace Sustain as CDM Coordinator.
Mace staff joined 500 guests from the construction, aviation and business community at the celebrations on 9th September to watch the arrival of the Emirates’ Airbus A380, the first ever flight by the superjumbo to a UK regional airport. The airplane demonstrated in dramatic fashion just how far air travel has moved on over the decades since the first passengers departed in an 8-seat de Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft from Birmingham 70 years ago.
The opening of the new international pier was another attraction at the event at 240m long, 18m high and 24m wide. Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s chief executive officer, explains: “At £50m, the Pier represents the biggest single investment the airport has made in the last 20 years and it is fitting that its opening coincides with the marking of our seventh decade.”
Birmingham International Airport (BIA) is continually reviewing the effectiveness of its operations to offer the best facilities to its customers, partners and stakeholders. In 2006 the airport saw an investment of £260m and passenger numbers of over 9.4 million passengers, marking an 80% growth in a ten year period making it the sixth largest UK airport and the second largest outside London.
Future plans for BIA include a 400m extension of the runway awaiting approval from the local planning authority. The extension is required in order to retain and increase their long haul capability, while continuing to service the lucrative short haul, charter and low-cost markets.
To read more about Mace's work in the aviation sector please click on the link below:
