More carriers select our Birmingham hub airport

We are pleased to see key carrier partners, Emirates, Qatar and Saudia commit more flights, with air freight capability, directly to our Birmingham Airport hub, from key Middle East and Asia origins.

Birmingham International Airport (BHX), has underlined again its critical importance as our air cargo hub and the global gateway of the Midlands, with three major Middle Eastern airlines forging new partnerships and enhancing the airport’s connectivity to the region.

On the 1st July, Emirates (EK) reintroduced its iconic A380 ‘superjumbo’ to Birmingham, bolstering capacity on its popular twice-daily Dubai service.

The next day, Saudia (SV), the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, commenced thrice-weekly flights to and from Jeddah, with Qatar Airways (QR) returning to Birmingham Airport after a three-year absence on the 6th July, launching daily services to Doha.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, hailed the return of Qatar Airways, along with Emirates and Saudia’s expanded services, as a substantial economic boost for the region, which has the strongest foreign direct investment and job creation performance outside London and the Southeast.

Birmingham Airport plays a pivotal role in the economy of the West Midlands. In 2022, its economic contribution, measured by gross value added (GVA), stood at £1.5 billion, supporting 30,900 jobs directly and indirectly.

BHX forecasts annual customer numbers to reach 18 million by 2033, with a projected GVA of £2.1 billion and supporting 34,400 jobs.

The continued support of Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Saudia demonstrate the confidence of these global airlines in the region’s potential, the Birmingham gateway and the cargoes they carry for UK importers and exporters.

The scale and efficiency of the airport and cargo handling operations at Birmingham, together with with our long-standing strategic partnerships with these operators, enables us to process and collect cargo very quickly after aircraft arrival, avoiding the delays and congestion experienced in peak periods at other UK hubs.

Selecting Birmingham International, the UK’s fastest-growing airport, as our central air freight hub, was the natural choice for four key reasons: proximity to major clients and manufacturing regions; speed of first/final mile logistics; access to key carrier partners and growing services; and proximity 90% of the UK population within a few hours drive.

For further information on our air freight and BHX gateway solutions please EMAIL Elliot Carlile.