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 | | Thursday, 11 April, 2002, 19:03 GMT 20:03 UK Airport expansion boost to area  The airport could become a hub for business travellers Thousands of jobs could be created in Wolverhampton under plans to expand the city's airport into a hub for business passengers. The �20m expansion plans, which have been approved by the local authority, involve a terminal at the site which developers hope will be used by 500,000 passengers a year. The airstrip would provide the only flights to London from the Midlands and would cut travel time to the city by more than half, as well as providing services to the rest of Europe. The airport director, Graham Silk, said the better links would attract new businesses to the area. 'Economic platform' The airport, at Halfpenny Green, is currently used by amateur flying clubs. But the expansion plans would see it transformed into a busy city airport handling 1,000 passengers a day.
The main service is likely to be to London, with up to three return services a day being envisaged. Developers hope to attract airlines operating to destinations like Edinburgh, Dublin and mainland Europe. "An airport provides an economic platform for a region and our plans could create and support 12,000 jobs in the area," said Mr Silk. "Travelling times to London will be cut to one-and-a-half hours instead of the current four-and-a-half hours on the train. "Easier access is going to encourage more companies to locate to the area. "This will play a major part in maintaining the economic base of the region." Phil Bateman, a member of the airport's consultative committee, said: "The development of the airport is certainly an important force in the success of industry in the area. "There is a niche market to be filled and if the airport is able to do that it will do a lot of good for the businessmen of the region who've had their boots grounded for so long." The plans have been approved by South Staffordshire District Council and have now been passed to the secretary of state for approval. | |   See also: Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | |||||||||||||||||||
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