Birmingham airport has thrown its support behind Gatwick’s bid to build a second runway in the long-running debate for airport expansion in the south east.
The midlands airport’s CEO Paul Kehoe is calling on the government-appointed Airports Commission to choose Gatwick ahead of Heathrow as it would “promote competition and choice across the UK”.
Both airports have been shortlisted for potential new runways by the Commission which will be making its final recommendation for expansion in the south-east in summer 2015 after the next general election.
Kehoe delivered his support alongside Gatwick’s CEO Stewart Wingate at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham.
“With our region attracting over a quarter of the UK's foreign direct investment, we are clear that the answer is a network of national long-haul airports, plugging all regions into global growth opportunities,” said Kehoe.
"Growth at Gatwick will support demand for greater connectivity, improving value for passengers flying from the South East and supporting the continued growth of our regions,” the Birmingham CEO added.
Wingate said: “Competition between the UK's airports is essential for delivering choice for passengers, businesses and investors across the country.
"By expanding Gatwick we can harness the strength of the country's network of great airports, delivering new South East capacity and supporting the growth of connectivity across the UK.
"This is why we are delighted that Birmingham Airport is supporting our case for a second runway."
A new airport in the Thames Estuary - supported by London Mayor Boris Johnson – was last month ruled out by the Commission.