Bosses at Lydd Airport are heading to the Middle East to promote its £25m expansion plans.

Managers will be flying to Dubai in May to spread the word about its 294m runway extension and new terminal building, which it hopes to begin work on by the end of the year.

They will meet airlines and tour operators at the Arabian Travel Market before joining more than 250 companies at the Airport Show, which attracts about 7,000 visitors.

Both events are held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Lydd Airport executive manager Hani Mutlaq said: “These events attract high-level decision-makers and buyers from across the leisure, travel and aviation industries worldwide and provide an excellent platform for us to explore new business opportunities.

"The shows will also give us the chance to look at the latest technology.

“Lydd Airport is the perfect base for airline operators. Our runway extension will enable B737-type aircraft to fly with a full payload of passengers, maximising the availability of routes and aircraft choice to operators and providing much-needed additional airport capacity in the South East of England.”

Lydd Holdings, which owns and operates Lydd Airport, is to invest £25 million in its development.

The owners have already spent £35 million upgrading the airport over the last decade – including the installation of a state-of-the-art instrument landing system, a new executive terminal with VIP facilities, improved passenger check-in and security plus a new departure lounge.

The airport – also known as London Ashford Airport – is nearing finishing off a number of conditions before it can begin its runway extension.