An economic boom for the motor industry has resulted in the need to increase night flights at Birmingham Airport.

The need from industry in the region to bring in more and more parts by air meant the airport had been facing the prospect of reaching its annual quota of night flights well before the end of the year.

As an interim measure, the airport has been given the go-ahead by Solihull Council to base the number of night time flights allowed in 2011 on the busiest year during the past five years, rather than on recession-hit last year.

Tory councillor Jim Ryan, who represents thousands of residents who live in Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden on the flight path, said he did not object to the agreement because of the exceptional circumstances.

“Traditionally, the number of night flights we are allowed is based on five per cent of the previous year’s air traffic movements, but because of the recession business was down last year so to impose limits based on last year would have hit us hard just at a time when industry needs to use us more,” said airport spokeswoman Justine Hunt.

“We have picked up a lot of freight business from the continued night closure of Coventry Airport, yet we faced the prospect of having to turn business away, which would have gone to other airports.

“We estimate that we would have reached our annual night flying limit of 4,347 flights during September. This would have resulted in the airport turning away all night movements including essential freight required for local industry, particularly the motor industry.

"Additionally, some charter airlines rely on a 24-hour flying programme and if this could not have been satisfied then they would have questioned the viability of operating from Birmingham.

“Because of the this interim measure we will now be in a position to meet the needs of Midlands industry and keep flying.”

She stressed, however, that even though there would be more night time flights than last year the airport would not be increasing the number above what it had been in recent years.

“We want to assure local residents that there will be no more flights than we have been allowed in recent years and we are inviting local residents to attend meetings over the next two months to discuss our Night Flying Policy, which is currently under review.”

And in a move to help keep its neighbours happy, the airport had proposed to reduce the noise level that aircraft are allowed to operate at from 87 decibels to 85.

Currently, a night noise violation level is also in place. If an aircraft registers a noise level higher than this at noise monitors positioned 6.5 km from ‘‘start of roll’’ the airline is surcharged a fine equivalent to a full runway charge.

Coun Ryan said: “We’ve had some very robust discussions with the airport over noise and they are very conscious of the concerns of residents.

“People accept that the airport is not going to go away but at the same time they need to get a decent night’s sleep so the airport has got to demonstrate that it is a responsible neighbour.’’

“As long as we don’t see routine year-on-year increases above the agreed rise then it makes sense that there has got to be some allowances for exceptional business circumstances.

“Aircraft have continued to get quieter apart from the military planes that come in and noise has been on the decrease for years.”