Currently running at 40% capacity
Birmingham Airport has put itself forward as an alternative to building a third runway at London Heathrow.
The UK West Midland airport said it is currently running at 40% of its capacity and could take 9m extra passengers a year without expanding the airport or building a new runway.
The airport's Master Plan, already in place, allows for an increase of 18m passengers by 2030.
"Birmingham is not seeking to transplant the Heathrow operation in its entirety, but South East traffic could form an element of Birmingham's wider portfolio," said a statement by the airport.
"Around 50% of the UK population is less than a two-hour drive from Birmingham.
"High Speed Rail could bring them much nearer, with Central London only 40 minutes away, putting Birmingham in ‘Zone 4' of the Underground Map."
Trains from London Euston to Birmingham International railway station currently take around 70 minutes, while a high speed link from the capital could reduce the journey to 38 minutes.
Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport's ceo, said that the airport is ready to respond to any current or future government initiatives.
"We already attract passengers from the home-counties who choose the convenience, choice and accessibility of Birmingham over other alternatives.
"We have plenty of capacity and, linked to high-speed rail, we are uniquely positioned to not only claw back people from our own region, who make the long journey to Heathrow, but to attract passengers from the overheated south east.
"We will not just be London's third runway as we have our own traffic - but by attracting those who waver towards Heathrow to use Birmingham instead, will create jobs and help to rebuild the local economy."
www.birminghamairport.co.uk