Birmingham Airport runway extension put on back burner

12/11/2009

By Jeremy Price.

The proposed extension of the runway at Birmingham International Airport (BIA) could be hampered by the economic downturn, it has been reported.

According to the Birmingham Post, the £120 million plan includes a 400-metre extension of the facility's existing runway.

However, an interview with BIA chief executive Paul Kehoe cast doubt on the project after he explained the financial implications of the move.

Speaking to the newspaper, Mr Kehoe said: "Trying to get a decent rate of interest that would allow the project to go ahead is a nightmare.

"At best, it's marginal; at worst, it could be loss-making. We haven't got the money."

The extension was approved in 2007 after council predictions indicated it could boost the West Midlands economy by £1 billion and create 16,000 jobs by 2030.

It was initially hoped that the runway adaptations would be completed by the time the Olympics come to London in 2012.

Birmingham International Airport serves almost ten million travellers each year.

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