Incredible archive images have shown Birmingham Airport as it looked when it first opened in 1939.

The photos also show off how the international airport looked in the 1960's.

BHX has shared the snaps as it celebrates its 86th anniversary this week.

After plans to build the municipal airport were approved in 1929, the first flight left Birmingham Airport in May 1939.

The site - originally known as 'Elmdon Airport' - was taken over for military use during the Second World War. An extension to the main runway took place between 1967-1970 to allow turboprops and jets to use the airport.

Birmingham Airport was opened in 1939 (image via Birmingham Airport)

And in 1984 the Queen opened the new terminal building which was built to cope with the demand for international travel.

Another runway expansion was completed in 2014, allowing for long haul flights to China, Brazil and South Africa.

"Looking forward to another year supporting the region, and beyond, with a passenger forecast of 14m this year supported by our 30 airlines partners and 137 direct routes," the airport said.

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"Working with all of our on-site partners we are on our way to sustainably grow to 18m passengers by 2033.

"A selection of pics from our archives, way back from 1939 when the airport first opened and into the 1960's."

Birmingham Airport is also celebrating a record breaking June (image via Birmingham Airport)

BHX has also revealed it has kickstarted the summer with its busiest June ever.

Latest figures from the airport reveal a record 1,360,957 passengers went through the airport last month.

The airport also recently announced its largest Capital Investment Plan ever, totalling £76.5 million over the next 12 months.

The plan equates to £1.5 million being invested in "improvements around the airport every week to enhance customer experience and boost operational efficiency".  

The airport has undergone many expansions during its history (image via Birmingham Airport)

Al Titterington, terminal operations director of Birmingham Airport said: "June has been another record month for Birmingham Airport with more passengers choosing to travel through Birmingham Airport.

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"This uptick in passengers coincides with our on-going investment into enhancing our customer experience at the airport including a full reconfiguration of our immigration area in the south terminal and the addition of new airside shopping and dining options.

"In June, we also welcomed the long-awaited easing of liquid restrictions meaning that we can now fully utilise our industry-leading next-generation security machinery and allow passengers to travel outbound with up to two litres of liquids.

"As we continue into our peak season, we look forward to welcoming even more customers through Birmingham Airport." 

Birmingham Airport was originally called Elmdon Airport (image via Birmingham Airport)