Birmingham Airport gears up for 80th anniversary celebrations

Birmingham Airport has kick started its year of 80^th anniversary celebrations with the launch of a new commemorative logo and a visit from the son of the very first Airport Manager.

Leonard Faulkner was the original Airport Manager when it opened back in 1939 on the Elmdon site and was responsible for the day to day running of the airport and the terminal. Leonard’s son, John, now aged 90, and his two daughters were invited by the airport to have a behind the scenes tour of the current airport to celebrate and reminisce the former years with Nick Barton, CEO and Andy Holding, Corporate Responsibility Manager, for Birmingham Airport.

The tour started by viewing the first ever flight logbook that Leonard would have used to record flights. Followed by a visit to the security area, departure lounge and International Pier – areas which have dramatically changed over the last eight decades.

John Faulkner, who lives in Hereford said, “It was an honour and a privilege to be in invited to the airport to meet the management and have a tour of this wonderful facility. I remember the opening event like it was yesterday, and how proud my father was to be part of the development and opening of the city’s new airport.  I’d like to thank the airport for hosting me and my family and wish them a very happy 80^th Birthday.”

Nick Barton, CEO of Birmingham Airport said: “Meeting John and his family to officially start our 80^th anniversary celebrations was a real honour. To show John how the site has developed and expanded over the years certainly brought about feelings of nostalgia.

“The heritage of the airport and the wider region it serves is important, and there will be many others like John who remember what aviation was like 80 years ago and how it’s changed.

“To celebrate our milestone, we are planning a series of events throughout the year that the community can get involved with to help us celebrate our 80^th anniversary, and we will announce these very soon.”

To coincide with the 80^th anniversary the airport has created a short video through the ages.