The airport expansion plan is one of several across the country which the government has suggested to help cope with increased demand for flights.

Another possibility is to build a major new airport the size of Heathrow, capable of handling more than 60 million people, at a site between Coventry and Rugby.

Last week, more than 2,000 people signed a petition against the creation of a second runway at Birmingham.

'Catastrophic effect'

But on Monday, the results of a survey carried out by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) revealed 73% of businesses across the West Midlands were in favour of expanding the Birmingham site.

The BCI warned if the airport was not extended, the long-term consequences would be the loss of 10,000 jobs and �250m income in the region.

You can't stand still and it is particularly necessary for the economy of the whole region that this airport does move forward

Neil Pountney

Louise Beard, the BCI's policy director, said: "The support for Birmingham as the regional airport is overwhelming.

"The survey results revealed some very strong messages from business with regard to the economic case for the development of a regional airport, with Birmingham being the UK's second city.

"Failure to expand would be catastrophic.

"This is a key message for government and all of those who influence the need for sustainable development of a regional airport in the Midlands."

'Economic advantage'

Neil Pountney, who runs a consulting firm in Birmingham city centre, said he did not think there was any alternative.

"You can't stand still and it is particularly necessary for the economy of the whole region that this airport does move forward.

"The economic advantage is quite plain. People do come into the area because it is convenient and accessible to the airport."