SIR – After a warm October, November has brought with it wind, rain and cold weather.
As a result, many are looking for last-minute getaways.
However, a significant majority fly from London or Manchester rather than Birmingham.
After a year into the job as chief executive of Birmingham Airport, it still surprises me that people in the wider Midlands region, at the most an hour away, would battle the M6 or M25 rather than choose Birmingham.
While we remain a busy travel hub, servicing more than nine million passengers a year, just 36 per cent of people in the wider Midlands area use the airport. Why would you choose the hassle of travelling hours to airports outside the region when there’s an international, efficient, friendly and easy to reach airport on your doorstep?
We support thousands of jobs and are pivotal in welcoming international visitors to boost tourism.
This is why I am writing an open letter to your readers – if you don’t use Birmingham Airport, or if it is not first choice when compared to horrible Heathrow, ghastly Gatwick or miserable Manchester – we would like to know why. You can e-mail extrel@ bhx.co.uk or we can respond to questions directly in the Worcester News.
Paul Kehoe
Chief Executive
Birmingham International Airport
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