Birmingham Airport directors back runway extension plan

Birmingham Airport's directors have given the go-ahead to extend the runway.

Planning permission for the extension was approved in 2009 and the directors met on Wednesday to discuss the financial implications.

It is not known when construction will begin but a new control tower is currently being built.

Chief executive Paul Kehoe said it will allow them to compete with Manchester for flights to the Far East and the US.

Linking up with the high-speed rail project could turn the airport into a major international travel centre.

Mr Kehoe said: "Let's give Manchester great credit for doing this 15 or 20 years ahead of us but, here we are now.

"We have an opportunity to reset the balance in our favour because the city of Birmingham and metropolitan area is three or four times the size of Manchester.

"We've now got the tools to do the job."