Birmingham Airport (BHX) has announced plans for three eateries and a new executive lounge within the Departures Lounge to open in phases during 2026 as part of the airport’s ongoing transformation.
Located between Gates 1 to 20 and the main Departures Lounge, the new reconfigured airside space will seamlessly connect all areas of the airside terminal and will feature a variety of new openings for passengers. The new expanded development will significantly broaden the regional transport hub’s dining offerings for passengers and will cater for a variety of dietary preferences. In addition to restaurants, the new space will include a new executive business lounge designed to cater to the airport’s growing business travel market. To coincide with the announcement, Birmingham Airport has shared concept imagery of the new walkway which will transform the current departures lounge with greater natural light and enhanced views of the runway.
The transformed space will see the arrival of one of the UK’s most successful casual dining brands, Wagamama, to BHX. Offering a variety of pan-Asian inspired cuisine, the successful chain will provide customers with its iconic menu of ramen, rice bowls and plant-based dishes when the 363m² restaurant providing capacity for 180 diners opens this summer. As with other Wagamama restaurants in travel locations, early morning flyers will have the chance to sample an exclusive breakfast menu featuring innovative Asian fusion inspired dishes alongside popular breakfast staples.
News of the expansion follows a record-breaking 2025 for Birmingham Airport with 13,654,010 passengers travelling throughout the year – the highest figure recorded in a single year. This trajectory is set to continue with the publication of the airport’s Masterplan later this year which will outline a long-term vision for the airport’s growth and transformation through to 2041.