General Atomics

Birmingham Airport sees a record 1.3m passengers in May

Birmingham Airport (BHX) welcomed more than 1.3 million passengers in May, a 3.2% increase on the previous year and a record month.

 

Image courtesy BHX
 
This record-breaking performance proves that the airport’s £300 million transformation, including its “next-generation” security hall and expanded route network, is already delivering a seamless experience for Midlands’ holidaymakers.
 
Dublin, Mallorca, Amsterdam and Alicante are amongst the most popular destinations passengers travelled to during the final month of spring. 
 
The high footfall coincided with a variety of exciting developments at BHX throughout May, including the launch of a new route to Nice with easyJet and a new route to Jersey with Jet2. 
 
Passengers travelling from further afield now also have even more options thanks to the arrival of FlixBus, which provides convenient new coach links from Oxford and Central London direct to Birmingham Airport.
 
Further enhancing the passenger experience, a brand-new, 24-hour McDonalds opened its doors on 20 May. The facility has created 100 local jobs so far and provides a convenient round-the-clock dining option for BHX customers, colleagues and the local community.
 
Matt Hazelwood, Chief Commercial Officer of Birmingham Airport said: “It has been a record-breaking month for passenger numbers here at BHX, with a 3.2% increase year-on-year. There has been a fantastic energy across the airport as our development plans continue to come to fruition, alongside the launch of new routes, including Nice with easyJet and Jersey with Jet2.com this month.
 
“We were also delighted to welcome a new on-site partner, McDonald’s, conveniently located for customers to grab a meal either before flying or upon arrival.
 
“We are now looking ahead and preparing for what promises to be a busy summer period.”
 
Birmingham Airport has also levelled up its sustainability credentials, recently achieving Level 4 Airport Carbon Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI).  Building on three years of consistent Level 3 performance, this new accreditation reflects the airport’s accelerated roadmap to becoming a net zero carbon gateway by 2033.

Related

‘The economic case stacks up’: UK chancellor renews government backing for Heathrow expansion
Heathrow Airport
‘The economic case stacks up’: UK chancellor renews government backing for Heathrow expansion
Former Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided in January 2025 to back a third runway as part of Labour's plans to boost economic growth.
Aerospace

11 Sep 2026

Syensqo supports NOEMI’s bid for the world’s first certified electric amphibious seaplane
NOEMI's all-electric amphibious seaplane.
Syensqo supports NOEMI’s bid for the world’s first certified electric amphibious seaplane
NOEMI Aerospace will use Syensqo advanced composites and adhesives to support the lightweight airframe of its pioneering all-electric amphibious aircraft.
Aerospace Member News

10 Sep 2026

Winter hydrogen trial at Exeter Airport strengthens case for lower-carbon ground operations
HyGPU trial Exeter Airport
Winter hydrogen trial at Exeter Airport strengthens case for lower-carbon ground operations
Exeter Airport’s latest hydrogen trial found a converted dual-fuel ground power unit could operate safely in winter, reducing diesel burn and carbon emissions.
Aerospace

10 Sep 2026

Royal Navy spends more than £123,000 on content creators
XC Excalibur uncrewed submarine for the Royal Navy
Royal Navy spends more than £123,000 on content creators
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the spend as it looks to reach new audiences and support recruitment.
Defence

11 Sep 2026

US private equity group agrees £1.1bn takeover of key UK defence supplier
Self sheilded storage box for contaminated nuclear waste
US private equity group agrees £1.1bn takeover of key UK defence supplier
Cerberus Capital Management has agreed a £1.1bn acquisition of Goodwin engineering businesses tied to sensitive UK defence, nuclear and naval supply chains.
Defence

11 Sep 2026

G2E consortium awarded Edgewing contract to develop GCAP sensing and comms
GCAP
G2E consortium awarded Edgewing contract to develop GCAP sensing and comms
As a strategic enabling partner to Edgewing, the GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E) consortium will provide sensing and communications capability for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), delivering information superiority for the next-generation fighter aircraft in future complex and contested airspace.
Defence Member News

11 Sep 2026

Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora engine test
Skyrora completes hot-fire testing of advanced LEO engine
Skyrora has conducted hot fire testing of its LEO engine at its Midlothian facility in Loanhead, demonstrating the potential of stronger, lightweight parts for future propulsion systems.
Member News Space

11 Sep 2026

UK spends nearly £30m on SpaceX satellite services as military shifts to Starshield
Starlink already offers unparalleled end-to-end user data encryption. Starshield uses additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirements.
UK spends nearly £30m on SpaceX satellite services as military shifts to Starshield
The UK military operates around 1,000 SpaceX Starshield terminals after spending nearly £30m on Starshield and Starlink satellite communications.
Defence Space

11 Sep 2026

NewOrbit gains launch slot for first VLEO commercial mission
NEO1
NewOrbit gains launch slot for first VLEO commercial mission
Reading-based NewOrbit will conduct the first commercial mission on which any payload developer can fly, test and validate technology in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), approximately 200-300km above the Earth.
Space

10 Sep 2026

Three government hacks in one week: Has Whitehall learnt its lesson?
Headshot for Trevor Dearing Director of Critical Infrastructure at Illumio
Three government hacks in one week: Has Whitehall learnt its lesson?
Trevor Dearing, Director of Critical Infrastructure at Illumio, argues that three government breaches in one week show why Whitehall must focus less on keeping attackers out and more on limiting the damage once they are inside.
Insights Security

12 Sep 2026

Lindy Cameron appointed as first female FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary
Lindy Cameron appointed as first female FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary
With vast experience across national security, diplomacy and development, Lindy Cameron has become the first female Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Security

12 Sep 2026

MI5 chief warns next major threat may come from where the UK is not looking
MI5 Director General Ken McCallum
MI5 chief warns next major threat may come from where the UK is not looking
MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum says the next major security shock may already be developing where intelligence agencies are not looking, 25 years after 9/11.
Security

11 Sep 2026