Couple have ‘best time’ on day trip to Birmingham Airport despite not boarding a flight

A couple who spent a cheap day out at Birmingham Airport said they had a “right laugh” despite not boarding a flight. Aircraft enthusiasts and expert bargain hunters Shirley Allbones and her partner Graham went to BHX in Solihull for a day to see the runway attractions on a shoestring budget.

The couple enjoyed a bargain picnic after hunting for yellow stickers and ended their day off by watching passengers fly in from far-flung, sun-drenched destinations. Lifelong Solihull resident Shirley, 55, told BirminghamLive that she and Graham decided to embark on a day out after being stuck in the house due to ill health.

“We always look at the planes. We watch them from our house. We live quite close to the airport. We have a big interest in Emirates A380s,” said Shirley. “I didn’t (feel) too bad that day so I took the bus and got off. Sometimes we stop at the cargo area, you can watch them from the parking lot.

READ MORE: Birmingham Airport holiday warning as bosses say ‘bear with us’

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“I haven’t been anywhere for a long time.” The couple started their day by getting off the bus at Birmingham International and yellow sticker hunting their way to the airport terminal.

The pair often watch planes come in and out of the airport, but despite their excitement, neither of them has ever flown in one. “I’ve never been on a plane! I’m interested, I haven’t been healthy since I was 20 so I’ve never really traveled so I just like to look at them,” explained Shirley.

Shirley and Graham went yellow sticker shopping on their way to the terminal, picking up sandwiches, milk and tubs of rice pudding for their picnic, which is not accessible. Incredibly, Shirley estimates their day, including transport and food, came to less than £10, including treats from WH Smith and Starbucks.

After disembarking at Birmingham International, they hopped on the overhead rail link to watch what was happening inside the terminal. Shirley continued, “We arrived at the airport. They all have different shops like Starbucks, M&S. We thought we’d see if we could get some bargains.

“It’s a cheap day isn’t it, go there and it doesn’t cost you anything. Not many people look for yellow stickers in places like this unless you’re like us!”

Shirley estimates she and Graham spent £6 on food “on an impulse”. “If we had been at the table it would have been £35,” she added. Once they reached the terminal, Shirley revealed that they went to a quiet place to watch the action. “You can see the planes, you can see them land and you can see them take off.

“We were looking at the passengers on the way back and they all looked really unhappy and we were having the best time. Was well. Here we just spend a few pounds and have a good laugh.

“I rarely go anywhere now, I stay pretty local to where I live. I haven’t been out for a long time. It was just a really lovely thing to do and the bargains were there which made it even better.”

The airport is battling to meet its June deadline to upgrade its “state-of-the-art” security hall, a £60m project that will change the way passengers queue, transit through air and carry liquids . Read the latest on security work here.

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