The Chamberlain News

Old Joe’s Almanac: Birmingham Airport

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” was the clarion call from the Elmdon cabin crew for most of the year with a spirited lobbying effort looking to impress upon Howard Davies that Heathrow is not the only game in town. With no sense of Christmas spirit, the old FSA boss told us that Heathrow – or possibly Gatwick and even less possibly Boris Island – will continue to dominate in terms of short-medium term capacity expansion. The opportunity for a second runway at BHX may come back into play when the Airport Commission considers post 2050 requirements.

The faces around the Control Tower this Christmas may be similar to holidaymakers facing a 48 hour flight delay, but there is still much to be positive about, not least the opening of the runway extension next year and several new carriers and routes. The Transport Secretary tells us Birmingham is his favourite airport. So, that’s alright then.

We’ll expect to see the ebullient Airport CEO Kehoe back on the front foot in 2014, not least championing a change of name for the railway station. Rather than relying on Government, regulators or commissioners it will be the Airport company – and its shareholders – that will need to make the weather next year.