Business and political leaders from the West Midlands have written to Prime Minister Theresa May urging her to support the growth of a competitive network of airports rather than expanding in the South East.
Among the signatories of the letter are the chief executives of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Marketing Birmingham and as well as MPs and educational leaders.
The Government is due to make a decision soon on whether to expand airport capacity in the South East - expected to be straight choice over whether to add a third runway to Heathrow or a second at Gatwick.
Earlier this week, it emerged the Prime Minister was considering the possibility of expanding Birmingham Airport
The letter said: "We urge the Government to consider the impact on all 海角视频 airports when making its decision on airport capacity in the South East, ensuring that any such decision allows for a competitive market in which airports can act as drivers for local growth in their regions.
"Allowing a third runway at Heathrow would re-forge its monopoly, undermining the benefits brought by the break-up of the BAA, and restrict the growth of direct flights to and from our great regional cities."
The letter highlights Birmingham Airport's role in maximising the benefits of HS2 which will have a station there, stating that: "With HS2's arrival in ten years, the airport will become the 海角视频's first high-speed connected airport and its catchment area will be dramatically enlarged into central London, giving it an increasingly national role."
Commenting on the growth of the Midlands Engine, the signatories state the region could grow up to £34 billion by 2030 if the Government continues to make decisions in view of rebalancing the 海角视频 economy.
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Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: "Birmingham Airport's growth and our region's growth go hand in hand, with the airport plugging our businesses into global opportunities and attracting inward investment.
"We want a decision for the South East's airport capacity that does not undermine direct connectivity to the Midlands Engine and supports a competitive network of airports, not a larger hub."
Airport chief executive Paul Kehoe added: "A vibrant Birmingham Airport is vital to the growth of our region. Expanding Heathrow could threaten to stall the Midlands Engine.
"In contrast, a competitive network of airports would support the continued growth of our region's connectivity and would maximise the benefits of HS2."
The letter and signatories in full
Dear Prime Minister,
We write to welcome your backing of the Midlands Engine and to ask you to ensure that the region is not damaged by the forthcoming decision on extra runway capacity in the South East.
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The West Midlands is a significant part of the Midlands Engine, an economy worth £222 billion and where, in 2015, private sector jobs grew three times faster than in London and the South East.
The West Midlands is home to Birmingham, the 海角视频's second largest city and to Birmingham Airport, the third largest 海角视频 airport outside London.
Birmingham Airport plays an integral role in the transport strategy of the Midlands, providing international connectivity to the region's flourishing manufacturing sector, and supporting the West Midlands' status as the leading export centre of the 海角视频 outside London and the South East.
The connectivity provided by Birmingham Airport contributed £1.1 billion GVA and over 25,000 jobs to the West Midlands economy in 2014.
The airport is a key driver of jobs creation and economic growth and its contribution to the economy is expected to increase as its connectivity increases.
As of this July, the airport has experienced 17 consecutive months of passenger growth including 32.8 per cent long haul growth compared to July 2015.
Birmingham Airport is also central to maximising the benefits of HS2. With HS2's arrival in ten years, the airport will become the 海角视频's first high-speed connected airport and its catchment area will be dramatically enlarged into central London, giving it an increasingly national role.
To support this continued growth in our region and to maximise the benefits of HS2, it is vital that the Government supports a competitive network of airports across the 海角视频 rather than an expanded hub in the South East.
Allowing a third runway at Heathrow would re-forge its monopoly, undermining the benefits brought by the break-up of the BAA, and restrict the growth of direct flights to and from our great regional cities.
The Midlands Engine could grow up to £34 billion by 2030 if the government continues to make decisions in view of rebalancing the 海角视频 economy.
We therefore urge the Government to consider the impact on all 海角视频 airports when making its decision on airport capacity in the South East, ensuring that any such decision allows for a competitive market in which airports can act as drivers for local growth in their regions.
Yours sincerely
Paul Faulkner, chief executive, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Paul Kehoe, chief executive, Birmingham Airport
Steve Brittain, managing director, BSA Technologies
Jonathan Browning, chairman, C&W LEP
John Callaghan, principal, Solihull College
Simon Chapman, managing director, Yee Group
Rick Grain, founder, Effigy Blinds
Colin Leighfield, Director, BE Wedge
Tim Pile, executive chairman, Cogent Elliot
Neil Rami, chief executive, Marketing Birmingham
Bernard Shepherd, consultant, Clark Brookes Turner Carey Solicitors
Joan Smith, director, Solihull Chamber of Commerce
Stewart Towe, chairman, Black Country Consortium (LEP)
Chris Wheeler, director, Auditel
Adrian Wright, president, Black Country Chamber of Commerce
Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North
Jeremy Lefroy, MP for Stafford
Karen Lumley, MP for Redditch
Khalid Mahmood, MP for Perry Barr
Steve McCabe, MP for Selly Oak
James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowley Regis
Gisela Stuart, MP for Edgbaston
Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South
Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South
James Carver, MEP for the West Midlands
Anthea McIntyre, MEP for the West Midlands
Sion Simon, MEP for the West Midlands
Daniel Dalton, MEP for the West Midlands
Baroness Burt of Solihull
Baroness Kramer