The Government is planning to make it easier for foreign airlines to fly new international air services to or from UK regional airports - including Birmingham International.
In future the Government will apply a general presumption in favour of allowing foreign airlines to set down or pick up passengers, or cargo, at a UK regional airport en route to another country.
It will also allow a foreign airline flying to the UK to pick up passengers or cargo from a third country while it is travelling to its destination in the UK.
The Government said that rights to operate such services, known as 'fifth freedom' rights, have traditionally been closely limited through the system of bilateral air services agreements under which international aviation is controlled.
Peter Vella, Birmingham International Airport's business development director, said: "BIA supports the Government in welcoming applications from foreign airlines to fly new international services to or from UK regional airports.
