Passengers on a high over expansion

Passengers today spoke of excitement at the prospect of the airport expansion.

Facilities at Birmingham have improved steadily in recent years.

Its bosses hope the less stressful feel to the airport, and the easy travelling links for people travelling to it from the West Midlands, will continue to persuade people to use its facilities.

Pat and Eithen Smith, both aged 72, often fly in from Ireland to visit their daughter who lives in Birmingham. They used to live in Birmingham before retiring to County Meath, about 30 miles north of Dublin.

Mr Smith said: “This is a fantastic airport. We have been travelling through it for a number of years - we used it nine times last year - and every time we do it is better than the last time. There really has been a vast improvement.

“And it is not just the facilities, all the staff and people who work here are so helpful.”