Local businesses have urged the government to accept proposals to expand Birmingham International Airport.
The Birmingham Post has reported that business leaders in the West Midlands region are urging the transport secretary Geoff Hoon to “back” the airport’s expansion, amid fears that the final decision could be delayed.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) has placed its backing behind Birmingham Airport’s planned 400 metre runway extension, which would enable direct long haul services to a number of international destinations.
Jerry Blackett, BCI chief executive, wrote in a letter to Mr Hoon that the extension is “critically important”. He said: “The expansion of BIA is a priority for the economic and competitive advantage of the West Midlands and is supported by business and local authorities.”
In 2007, Birmingham International was the sixth busiest airport in the UK when it flew more than nine million passengers to domestic and international routes.
