Birmingham Airport has launched a campaign aimed at persuading the powers that be to move away from dependence on the South East and create a network of long-haul airports.

Hard-hitting adverts focus on the importance of Birmingham Airport for UK manufacturing and feature high profile manufacturers from the region.

They include William Wang, managing director of MG Motor UK, who is pictured asking: “The UK’s manufacturing base is not near Heathrow. So why do I have to fly from there?”

The advertising campaign has been timed to coincide with the Airports Commission’s inquiry and will run until July 19, the deadline set by the commission for long-term proposals from airports and project sponsors.

Chief executive Paul Kehoe, said: “Our aviation sector is currently failing to adequately serve the majority of UK businesses that are located outside of the South East.”

MG boss Mr Wang called for flights to Shanghai from the city, adding: “The UK manufacturing base is outside of the South East and, as a result, it suffers from a lack of direct air links with crucial long-haul markets like China.”