Birmingham Airport closes cross runway
29.12.07
Birmingham Airport has officially closed its oldest runway. The airport's cross runway, which crosses its main runway, opened with the original buildings in 1939. It shut 3 years ago and is surplus to requirements as it cannot be used at the same time as the main runway.
In September plans for a second runway to cope with a predicted three-fold increase in passengers by 2030 were scrapped. Now the airport has announced that it has joined a 'very select band of airports' around the world that have shut unwanted runways.
John Morris, the Birmingham Airport's head of corporate affairs, said: 'Although it was of great use in the past, it was also a cause of annoyance to local residents, and in recent years it was only used in exceptional circumstances.'
Following the scrapping of the second runway plans, an extension to the existing runway is planned, which will allow airlines to operate flights to more long-haul destinations. This could be operational in time for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Mr Morris said that the airport expected to announce a planning application for expanding the runway soon.
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