The airport says growing popularity means it needs improved facilities

The airport's owners have arranged a �325m deal to pay for expansion.

NEMA is part of the Manchester Airports Group which has secured a major deal with financiers for a number of expansion projects.

They include terminal improvements at Manchester and a new passenger terminal at Castle Donington.

A group spokesman said the increasing popularity of Nottingham East Midlands, which saw passenger numbers rise by a third to 4.3 million last year, means new and improved facilities are needed.

The group said the project was in its early stages and no planning applications had yet been submitted.