Coventry Airport is mostly used for freight at present

Thomsonfly intends to begin flying to 11 European locations on 31 March.

But it has been told by the council it cannot use a temporary terminal built at the airport without planning permission.

Thomsonfly, which thought it did not need permission for the facility, said it hoped to be flying as scheduled.

Alex Hunter, chief commercial officer at the budget airline, said: "It's my belief that the planning authorities are in discussion with Coventry Airport.

Lawyers consulted

"Thomsonfly fully expects to be flying on 31 March and we're looking forward to inviting our passengers on board."

Warwick District Council has written to the airport to warn that the temporary terminal should not be used.

But the authority said there was no reason why the low-cost flights cannot go ahead from the airport next Wednesday, despite the unresolved planning issue.

Council spokesman Richard Brooker told BBC Coventry and Warwickshire there were other facilities that could be used in place of the terminal.

Coventry Airport said it had referred the matter to its lawyers.

Warwick District Council is holding a planning committee meeting on 31 March to discuss the terminal - 10 hours after the first flights are due to take off.

The authority said it had received more than 2,500 letters objecting to the expansion of Coventry Airport.