CHRISTMAS ARRIVES AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT

Christmas has arrived at Birmingham Airport, with the decorations in place and Father Christmas making an early arrival to sing carols with children from local schools, who helped to switch on the Christmas lights.

Nearly half a million passengers (495,549) are expected to travel through the Airport’s doors during the Christmas period (21st December to 7th January) – a +4.4% increase on last year.

The busiest day for departures and arrivals combined, is expected to be Friday 21st December with an estimated 34,394 passengers set to travel through the terminal, an increase of +16.8% over the same day last year.

The busiest day for departing passengers is expected to be Friday 21st December, with 18,624 people jetting off to visit loved ones, hit the slopes or bask in the winter sunshine.  The busiest day for arriving passengers is predicted to be Sunday 6th January when it is forecast to handle 17,411 passengers as people fly back home after the festive break

Christmas Day will see 11,046 passengers travel through the terminal (+41%), and on New Year’s Day the Airport will handle 25,796 passengers (+11%).

The top most popular destinations will be will be Dubai, Dublin, Amsterdam, Belfast, Paris and Tenerife.

On Christmas Day, passengers will be jetting off to some of the top winter sun destinations including Tenerife, Alicante and Lanzarote. Those travelling further afield will be flying to destinations including Dubai, Montego Bay and Banjul.

Simon Richards, Acting Managing Director said: “We are all set for the Christmas period and ready to welcome almost half a million people between the 21st December and 7th January. The Airport is a 24/7- 365 operation so we will remain open and ready to serve our customers throughout the festive season, including Christmas Day when we’ll welcome more than 11,000 passengers.

“Looking to 2019 – our 80th anniversary year – we will continue our investment to improve the customer experience, with the start of work to extend the departure lounge, creating  space and adding additional facilities for our customers.”

The Airport advises those traveling out for Christmas to be mindful of what they pack in their hand luggage. It advises passengers not to put wrapped presents in hand luggage in case there is a requirement for security to inspect the item, and do not place Christmas crackers or party poppers in the cabin either. If in doubt, please contact the airline.

Breakdown of Christmas Passenger Figures (inbound and outbound):

December

21/12/18

34,394

Busiest day (+16.8%)

22/12/18

34,063

23/12/18

30,346

24/12/18

16,160

Christmas Eve

25/12/18

11,046

Christmas Day (+41.2%)

26/12/18

25,509

27/12/18

30,520

28/12/18

32,601

29/12/18

32,748

30/12/18

31,887

31/12/18

20,737

 January

01/01/19

25,796

New Year’s Day (+11%)

02/01/19

28,087

03/01/19

28,302

04/01/19

27,922

05/01/19

28,852

06/01/19

31,071

07/01/19

25,507

Total Passengers

495,549

(+4.4%)

The Birmingham Airport Christmas lights switch on can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOPpN_YMO_o