Birmingham Airport (BHX) has been recognised as the best medium-sized UK airport for leisure travel at the British Travel Awards 2025.
The airport won ‘Best UK Airport for Leisure Travel (Medium Sized)’ at the annual awards event which celebrates excellence within the travel industry in recognition of ongoing work to transform the passenger experience amidst a significant period of growth. The accolade follows a milestone year for the regional transport hub with nine record-breaking months for passenger traffic.
It has also opened several new airside eateries, as well as consistent growth of routes to key leisure destinations. Awarded by public vote, the achievement solidifies BHX’s status as one of the best regional leisure airports in the UK recognising excellent customer service and an attractive route network that directly connects the Midlands to over 120 destinations around the world.
To ensure the airport is geared up for future growth, BHX is currently delivering its most ambitious investment plan to date which is seeing £1.5 million being spent each week to improve facilities. Major projects include further retail and hospitality offerings over the next three years including a multi-million-pound refurbishment from WDF, alongside three new food and beverage outlets to be unveiled within the departure lounge.
Outside of the terminal will see significant spend on the airfield, including reconstructing parts of the taxiways, new stands, lighting replacement and runway works totalling £40m. Recently, the airport announced that Birmingham-based independent chain, The Indian Brewery Company will also be landing at the airport with a new airside restaurant.
Scheduled to open in February 2026, the new restaurant will showcase its fresh range of locally produced craft beers, paired with its iconic menu of fusion dishes including Indian naan pizzas. Commenting on the award win, Al Titterington, Terminal Operations Director at Birmingham Airport said: “We’re honoured that Birmingham Airport been named Best UK Airport for Leisure Travel at the British Travel Awards 2025.
“Voted for by travellers themselves, this award is a testament to our ever-growing route network providing choice and convenience, as well as our continued investment into our airport which is undoubtedly resulting in significant enhancements to passenger experience. Thank you to all our colleagues for their continued hard work in ensuring our passengers have a positive experience at BHX and many thanks to our supporters for awarding us with this wonderful accolade.”
- It is the 7th largest UK airport.
- 35 airlines operate over 140 direct destinations and 657 onward destinations.
Birmingham Airport is investing £300m in the years to 2033 in infrastructure and realising operational efficiencies and will become a net zero carbon operation by 2033.
Circa 12.3m within the 60 minutes catchment area of BHX, it is one of the West Midlands’ largest employers, supporting 30,900 jobs and contributing £1.5bn in GVA (gross value added) to the region’s economy. It is, once again, one of the best-connected airports in the UK, with strong road and public transport links, including direct access to the mainline railway.
Future connectivity will be further enhanced by the introduction of Sprint rapid transit buses and a potential metro extension. When the new HS2 railway is built including its automated people mover linking directly to the BHX terminal, central London will be just 37 minutes away by train.
