Airport contract for WSP

Birmingham-based engineering consultancy WSP has secured a five-year contract with Birmingham Airport as part of a significant 10-year expansion and development plan. 

The programme - which includes the option to extend for a further two years - will see WSP support the UK’s third largest airport outside of London across areas including building services, structures, civil engineering, airfield engineering, fire engineering, environmental advisory, baggage handling, IT/ICS and security. 

Following record results in 2017, with almost 13 million passengers travelling through Birmingham Airport, its 10-year Capital Investment Programme involves major overhauls to current infrastructure to support further domestic and international growth. The programme will include the expansion of its existing facilities and services, allowing it to meet increasing demand and harness opportunities created by the likes of HS2.    

Rod Hulse, Technical Services Director at Birmingham Airport, said: “We are pleased to have selected WSP as our chosen engineering partner for the next five years. Our partnership will provide support for the Capital Investment Programme, where WSP will work on delivering our development programme. 

“We needed a partner who understood the importance of frameworks and how they offer the opportunity to develop long term relationships with our design partners, as well as how they help us in delivering an agile service to our customers – WSP did just this.

“Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in delivering design services via frameworks across several airports, we are excited to see how our relationship with WSP will grow in the future.” 

Boasting a strong track record in the aviation sector, WSP is currently working on expansion and redevelopment programmes at Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, Marseille Airport, Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, New York’s La Guardia Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport in Canada. 

WSP is also supporting large-scale projects across Birmingham and the Midlands including HS2, where it has been appointed to lead on the design and development of two stations at Curzon Street and Old Oak Common. 

Part of WSP’s partnership with Birmingham Airport will involve the application of its Future Ready initiative - a model based on helping its clients be proactive, harness emerging trends and ready themselves for new challenges such as climate change, resources, society and technology. 

 Tim Morrison, UK Aviation Director at WSP, said: “Combining our expertise in the aviation industry and significant presence in Birmingham and the Midlands, the WSP team is hugely excited to be able to work with the Airport on its forward-thinking development programme. 

“We're looking forward to helping the Airport expand and develop its existing and new infrastructure, exploring efficiencies and making innovative improvements that will ensure that Birmingham is not only Future Ready, but also continues to increase its position on the global stage.”