Birmingham International Airport has submitted a planning application to extend its runway.
The application, which will see the runway extended 405m (1,329ft) towards Bickenhill and Hampton-in-Arden, has been lodged with Solihull Council.
The airport hopes it will be able to accommodate larger aircraft and operate more long haul routes.
Campaigners have said they will oppose the extension and are lobbying the council to refuse permission.
Friends of the Earth and the Birmingham Airport Anti-Noise Group (BANG) have teamed up to protest to the council, saying the expansion is bad news for residents and the environment.
They said the number of people exposed to aircraft noise pollution would double and that aircraft carbon dioxide emissions would treble.
Plans for a second runway for the airport were scrapped in September.
The airport hopes the extension will be operating in time for the London Olympic Games in 2012.
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