With a potential throughput in excess of 36 million, and a current throughput of around 9 million, Birmingham Airport has significant potential to grow using existing assets. Following extensive consultations that were held on the expansion of Birmingham Airport’s runway, a Planning Application was submitted to Solihull Metropolitan Council in January 2007. In 2009 Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council formally granted Planning Approval for a Runway Extension. The runway extension scheme will add approximately 400 meters to the current runway, which would enable airlines flying from Birmingham Airport to reach the West Coast of America, South America, the Far East and South Africa.