Birmingham Friends of the Earth have dismissed claims that the Government should prioritise Birmingham Airport as they draw up aviation policies.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG) has called for Birmingham Airport to be made a priority when a new draft policy on aviation policy is published next March.
But Joe Peacock from Birmingham Friends of the Earth claimed there had been overblown projections of growth from the aviation sector and misleading job creation predictions.
The green group says that allowing further subsidies to the industry will only further damage businesses in Birmingham.
Mr Peacock said: “Our research for this policy review shows that on average, the tax subsidy per direct job in the aviation industry is £50,000 a year. This simply cannot be a wise use of money in times of such economic uncertainties.
“The climate change problems with aviation are well known and if the predicted increases in flights happen, CO2 emissions from the airport will dwarf those from the city of Birmingham.
"However, what’s been ignored is the negative impact it’s having on jobs and a local thriving business environment.
“Aviation last year cost the region 85,431 jobs according to our research and if the numbers of flights increase, this could peak at around 300 000 jobs in 2030.”
Birmingham Friends of the Earth is calling for subsidies into the runway extension to be re-examined and airport expansion delayed.
