News there will be no second runway at Birmingham International Airport has been welcomed by the MP representing hundreds of families whose homes were blighted by the plans.

Caroline Spelman (Con Meriden) said she welcomed the announcement, which would end years of uncertainty for constituents. The airport confirmed that plans for a second runway will be suspended until at least 2030, when it published the final draft of its master plan.

As widely expected, though, it will press ahead instead with extending the existing runway by 405 metres, allowing it to accommodate larger aircraft and offer more long-haul flights.

Mrs Spelman said: "It is a great relief to my constituents. It gives clarity to people who have been in the dark, and whose homes have been blighted. It is a great relief that the airport has accepted that the environmental cost of a second runway would outweigh the environmental benefits."

She added: "The proposed extension to the existing runway has been expected for many years, so it does not come as a shock. Although I appreciate the case for it, my role will be to ensure the impact on my constituents is mitigated as much as possible."

The airport, which served 9.2 million passengers in 2006, expects to serve 27.2 million in 2030. But the predicted growth in passenger numbers has been reduced from earlier forecasts of 31.7 million by 2030.

The airport said this meant it would not initially need a second runway. The Master Plan states: "A second runway should not be needed before 2030. Consequently, a new second runway has not been included in this Master Plan, but, as the forecasts are reviewed, over future periods, runway capacity and the need for a second runway could be reconsidered."

The airport is also to aim to ensure a quarter of all passengers travel to it by public transport by 2012.

Birmingham International Airport is the UK’s second largest airport outside London and the sixth largest overall. It directly provides 7,500 jobs and is estimated to contribute some £272 million to the regional economy.

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "I'm very pleased to see Birmingham Airport setting a bold but achievable target to get more air passengers to use public transport to the airport. The Government wants an aviation industry which meets its own environmental costs and this initiative supports that vision.

"As one of the region’s largest employers, Birmingham Airport will have an increasingly important role in supporting prosperity and providing the international links and surface access opportunities that are so important to modern business and society.

"However this can only be achieved through partnership – so I urge the region’s transport leaders to work with the Airport to realise this vision for a truly integrated transport system."

Joe Kelly, the airport’s Acting Managing Director, said: "Anyone local to the airport will know that over the last four years, we have been the focus of much debate about our long-term future.

"The publication of our master plan now offers our neighbours and the region’s business community a clearer outline on what our aspirations are.

"The master plan also clarifies how those aspirations can be achieved responsibly by working together to deliver the Airport for the benefit of our passengers and the wider region."