Bosses at Birmingham International Airport have submitted ambitious plans to transform the facility into one of the largest aviation hubs on the planet.

Work to add a second runway at the West Midlands complex is currently ongoing, but airport chiefs are keen to expand the site even further in the coming decades.

If the plans go ahead, Birmingham Airport will be able to operate 500,000 planes over a 12-month period, accommodating 70 million passengers in the process - the same amount that currently use Heathrow on an annual basis.

There has been talk of a major extension at Heathrow or even a brand new hub airport outside of London, but these new plans for Birmingham International could add an extra dimension to the debate on the best ways to enhance the UK's standing in the global aviation sector.

It is thought the introduction of the High Speed 2 rail network - the first stage of which is due to open in 2026 - would strengthen Birmingham's plans, as it would mean air travellers who fly into the Midlands could reach London in less than an hour.