Airport reports strong post-Covid bounceback

Birmingham Airport is preparing for 89 per cent of pre-pandemic customer volumes over the upcoming Platinum Jubilee weekend as Britain 's aviation bounce back continues.

Over the four-day weekend (Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June), more than 147,000 people are booked to fly in and out of Birmingham Airport. That 's:

• 144 times more than over the 2020 late May bank holiday (Friday 22 May to Monday 25 May) when Britain was in Covid-19 lockdown
• Over 10 times more than the 2021 late May bank holiday (Friday 28 May 28 to Monday 31 May) when Covid-19 restrictions were still in force
• 89 per cent of the numbers who passed through the airport over the 2019 late May bank holiday (Friday 24 May to Monday 27 May - before Covid-19 took hold

Two years ago, Britain was in the grip of Covid-19 lockdown and stringent travel restrictions had all but switched off aviation.

Over the Friday leading up to it and three days of the late May bank holiday itself, just over 1,000 people arrived and departed from the airport.

During the four equivalent days in 2021, 14,300 passed through the Midlands travel hub.

On 18 March this year, all Covid-19 travel restrictions were suddenly scrapped prompting a strong bounce back in demand, including from people who 'd been forced to postpone trips due to Covid-19.

“We are so pleased to see customers back at BHX again, ” said Birmingham Airport 's chief executive Nick Barton.

“In the darkest days of lockdown, there were eerie moments when birdsong was the loudest sound on our airfield. Much as I love the sound of birds singing, I 'm relieved to hear the buzz of airport activity once again as customers take to the skies in large numbers.

“I 'd like to thank customers who present compliant baggage at our pre-flight security screening - with liquids, gels, pastes and larger electrical items removed.

“This helps us help you keep moving. It also helps our security officers in their vital task of keeping everyone safe. ”

As a result of travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, 43 per cent of Birmingham Airport 's employees were made redundant.

In anticipation of restrictions being lifted, Birmingham Airport began a recruitment campaign back in November 2021.

Since the start of 2022, the airport has increased its pool of deployable security officers by 19 per cent and its front-of-house customer service teams by 20 per cent.

Recruitment continues at the airport to rebuild its resources to a level that enables it to give the great customer service its customers expect.