Whilst Birmingham is the UK’s second city (depending on the metric you’re using), it lacks a direct service to New York.
Well, the airport has announced a targeted financial support package on offer to airlines that looks to attract direct connectivity between Birmingham and New York.
Or as the rest of us would call it – route aid or launch aid.
According to the airport, this launch aid offer sends a signal that the airport is seeking an operator.
From data based on the UK Civil Aviation Survey, connectivity to the US remains completely underserved by direct scheduled services, with approximately 485,000 US-bound passengers from the West Midlands alone having to fly from another UK airport every year.
In 2024, a total of 1.88m passengers are reported to have travelled to the US from the wider Birmingham catchment area, which is the equivalent to over 5,100 daily passengers
The airport is prepared to make a multi-year financial support offer that will see the airport invest several million dollars to secure direct, daily scheduled services between New York and Birmingham, starting in the summer of 2027.
This would coincide with the Invictus Games landing in Birmingham. The offer will also include marketing support and operational incentives as the new route establishes itself.
As well as leisure and family travel, Birmingham and the West Midlands are home to numerous large commercial players, including Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, Aston Martin and Collins Aerospace.
In Quotes
Nick Barton, CEO at Birmingham Airport, said:
“We have been in airline discussions where we are reassured it is not if, but when direct US connectivity returns to BHX. 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.”
Speaking of the announcement, West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, said:
“Direct US flights from Birmingham Airport would deliver significant benefits for trade, tourism and inward investment which is what this region is all about. 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.”
Who has flown to Birmingham Airport in the past?
In the past, Birmingham Airport has had some visitors from New York. In the past decade and a bit. They include
- Continental Airlines/United Airlines (used to use a Boeing 757)
- American Airlines (used to use a Boeing 757)
- Primera Air (defunct, used to use a Boeing 737)
Who could fill the gap?
So, let’s play a little game of who could fill the gap and maybe take on services.
Currently, there are a fair number of one-stop options (including Aer Lingus via Dublin, Lufthansa via Munich and Frankfurt, KLM via Amsterdam and Air France via Paris).
So, let’s play a game with equipment, based on the past, where airlines could muster a single-aisle aircraft’s worth of passengers.
- British Airways – There’s a reason some of us call BA “London Airways”. They won’t be interested, nor do they have anything small enough to run the route.
- Virgin Atlantic – Doubtful. It’s unlikely they’ve got anything small enough to run the route.
- Aer Lingus with a non-stop operation – We’ve seen what happened with that. I doubt Aer Lingus UK will be back in a hurry. Amazingly, they’ve got the right kit for this route – an Airbus A321LR
- United Airlines – Possible – Whilst they operate from Newark, it’s close enough to operate the route with 757s or upcoming A321XLRs. Will the airline be interested in coming back?
- American Airlines – Possible – They have Airbus A321XLRs to run this route, with some feed to make it work. Will they want to?
- Delta Air Lines – Unlikely. Whilst they have 757s to fill the route, will they want to use them on this, given they want to be premium with widebody aircraft on longer missions? Whilst it would be a great “New York” fit, with an extensive network, can they fill the seats
- JetBlue – The Dark Horse – JetBlue in the past have run A321ceos transatlantic, and Birmingham isn’t too far of a stretch from Dublin (an extra 200 miles). Alternatively, they have the A321LRs to fit the mission. The question would be then – do they have enough of these aircraft to launch that service?
- Someone else – I’m sure I’ve missed some airlines out, be they ACMI-based or something else. Will that launch aid be enough to
- Your Author? – No, no and thrice no. I’m not a billionaire, let alone have even the spot of money to be a millionaire and fund a start-up airline (It was Richard Branson who once said to become a millionaire, start an airline as a billionaire).
Birmingham’s physical location doesn’t help matters
Part of the issue with Birmingham Airport is its physical location. This isn’t related to the runways, terminals or airport infrastructure, but where it is in the country.
A local airport is wonderful – do not get me wrong – but you have Heathrow just under 100 miles away to the south, Manchester to the north, just over 90 miles away (which is struggling to retain Transatlantic Services).
That means traffic will naturally flock to the larger centre, where there are many more options than one possible flight a day.
As a local resident, I would love to see a non-stop service to New York on a regular basis by a scheduled airline, with the possible value that the route could have. But I am struggling with the business side and how it could work.
Unless that route aid money is that big.
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