The chief executive of Birmingham Airport has called on the government to do more to help the UK's regional airports.

Paul Kehoe told the government to consider changing tax rules to make more use of spare capacity in the regions rather than making travellers pass through "the congested south-east".

He said it should encourage airlines to use regional airports for long haul routes. Birmingham Airport can now cater for long-haul flights to destinations such as China and the west coast of the US.

Mr Kehoe told MPs: "The West Midlands is the only region in the UK with a positive balance of trade with China, with our advanced manufacturing base leading the way."

He said businesses in the region would rather use their local airport than those in the south-east. Mr Kehoe added that, in addition to the tax changes, the government could do more to promote the status of the UK's regional airports in growing markets.