Speaking at the Elite Travel Group conference in Cadiz, head of sustainability Kirstin Kane said following the runway extension’s completion in May 2014 at a cost of £120 million, the facility has seen a 20% increase in long-haul traffic this year.

And with 50 airlines travelling to more than 143 destinations, including New York, Beijing, Dubai and Delhi, she is confident further expansion can be made in the long haul market, which is also more profitable.

Kane said: “It is a very competitive market, we’ve got Manchester and Heathrow not far away so it is very difficult to get airlines on board but we’ve got the infrastructure in place now.”

She added the extension of the runway means there is more space for aircraft carrying heavier loads and more fuel, so expanding Birmingham airport’s potential.

It is also in the airport’s interests to encourage the market, with long haul passengers more likely to spend on both parking and shopping once they have arrived.

Kane said the facility has seen seven airlines, including Icelandair and Norwegian, commence operations in Bitmingham this year, while another one is soon to be announced.