Birmingham Airport, International airport in Bickenhill, United Kingdom
Birmingham Airport is an international airport in Bickenhill, United Kingdom, situated on a wide site east of Birmingham city. The terminal building is divided into two main sections through which passengers pass to reach the gates, while aircraft of varying sizes are handled on the apron outside.
The site opened in 1939 as Elmdon Airport and was used during World War II as a training base for the Royal Air Force. After the war, the facility gradually evolved into a civilian hub and took its current name in 1960.
The name Birmingham refers to the Midlands city it serves, while the terminal today hosts travelers from across the region heading to holiday destinations and business hubs. Announcements echo through the departure halls in English and occasionally other languages, depending on the route and passenger mix.
Access is by road from the M42 motorway or by train to Birmingham International station, which sits a short walk from the terminal building. Inside, information desks and display boards guide passengers toward departure and arrival zones.
Between 1984 and 1995, the world's first commercial maglev ran here, shuttling passengers between the terminal and the train station. The system was a technical experiment at the time and was later replaced by a conventional rail link.
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