New bus service to Birmingham Airport from city

The new service is aimed at improving links to the airport for people living in parts of Birmingham, National Express said

A new bus service between Birmingham city centre and Birmingham Airport should improve transport links for people in parts of Birmingham and cut congestion, a bus operator claims.

The 17A service starts on Sunday and will run up to every 30 minutes via Small Heath, Yardley and Tile Cross, National Express West Midlands said.

The move comes after the firm extended the 97A route to the airport in July 2024.

The changes would mean a better link to the airport for residents in central and east Birmingham, Mat Hidson, from National Express, said.

He added the new service would also help "to reduce traffic and drive down harmful emissions on our region's roads".

Bosses at Birmingham Airport said they have been working with the firm as part of their moves to cut carbon emissions on journeys to and from the airport.

Alongside the new service, some journeys will also be extended on the existing 17 service between Birmingham and Tile Cross, to serve Chelmsley Wood every 30 minutes, a National Express spokesperson said.