Birmingham Airport pushes for return of direct US route

Airport bosses say a cash offer of several million dollars could restore the West Midlands’ direct link to the East Coast of the United States.

Airlines could receive a “targeted” financial sweetener in a bid to restore services from next year, nearly a decade after two US carriers scrapped their regular scheduled flights from the Birmingham.

A long-haul connection between the West Midlands and the US was severed in 2017, when United Airlines and American Airlines both pulled services from Birmingham to New York, blaming poor passenger numbers for the move.

But bosses at Birmingham say a transatlantic link is critical to the region – with figures showing nearly two million USA-bound passengers from the West Midlands now required to fly from alternative airports each year.

“We have been in airline discussions where we are reassured it is not if, but when direct US connectivity returns to BHX,” said Nick Barton, chief executive at Birmingham Airport.

“Now is the time to turn those conversations into a critical connection as the demand and business case is proven. This unique financial offer demonstrates our determination to secure the return of this direct US route. Re-establishing a direct air service to New York would be transformational for the West Midlands.”

Last year, the airport announced a £300m investment programme over the next four years, under bold plans to improve facilities and make the airport HS2-ready – with the planned high-speed rail link to London able to deliver passengers into the capital in under an hour, when completed.

Completed infrastructure improvements already include next generation security halls, terminal and airfield upgrades, baggage and immigration efficiencies and an increase in food and retail offering, the airport says.

“Direct US flights from Birmingham Airport would deliver significant benefits for trade, tourism and inward investment which is what this region is all about,” added West Midlands mayor, Richard Parker.

“The airport’s financial offer sends a strong signal that the region wants to be open for global business and every lever needs to be pulled to re-establish this critical connection. I am fully supportive in making sure this happens for BHX and the people and businesses in the region.”