There was an interview with a member of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce on local radio today and he was putting forward the case of full control being taken by the local councils again, and trying his best to sound positive.
The general assumtion was, that BHX is in desperate need of major investment, for which the investor would have to wait a considerable amount of time before seeing any return. This is putting potential private buyers off as they are not interested in runway and terminal extensions "because the region needs and deserves them" but would only invest to see a return. I think the runway extension was quoted at around £125 million and basically, if the councils take ownership, it will be the local taxpayer who foots the bill.
On a side issue, if the new buyer is not willing to invest the money needed then it could mean that BHX's masterplan is pretty much out of the window. Even if the local councils take control it's difficult to see them funding the runway extension, the A45 diversion/tunnel, the new piers, ATC tower and new taxiways that are mentioned in the plans, let alone a new terminal and new runway.
So many missed opportunities over the years and now they could finally be coming back to kick BHX up the ar$e, if it wasn't my local airport it'd be comical
