As part of its 70th anniversary celebrations, Birmingham International Airport (BHX) became the first UK airport outside Heathrow to play host to the mighty Airbus A380 in passenger service, when Emirates Airlines A380-800, A6-EDE touched down on 09/09/09. The A380, capable of carrying 800 passengers at one time, is the only aircraft with a double-deck throughout the cabin. The Emirates Airlines A380, replacing the normal Boeing 777 aircraft on this special occasion, boasts two onboard showers as well as a bar and lounge on the aircraft's upper deck.

Watched by hundreds of people, the event also marked the official opening of Birmingham airport's new £45 million international pier, the airport's single biggest investment in more than 20 years. The 3 storey high, 240m long pier will provide parking for 7 wide-bodied aircraft and be able to serve 13 smaller aircraft at any given time. With the proposed runway extension, and the possibility of opening up Birmingham to more direct long-haul flights, this could be the first of many A380s to land at Birmingham over the years to come.

Photography by James Ralph and Steve Crampton