I wonder if Birmingham have ever suggested Air China using A330's. Air China previously visited BHX for a VIP visit during 2006, using a 747 also. The only concerns about this route are:
* runway length
* pax
* demand
* profitability
* fuel
A story earlier this month called 'Amritsar-Toronto flight to resume soon' mentions something about new routes being introduced to Birmingham.
Qatar & Etihad may be an issue competing with Emirates and Manchester & Heathrow. PIA could make their ISB-BHX flight daily (if the pax are good) because nothing exciting about that route is going on right now.
The international pier is usually not full, unlike Manchester and Heathrow and other airports. We need a lot more international flights along with domestic flights to fill up the stands because it's not nice seeing it empty.
I don't get why they didn't extend the runway years ago, if it was done, BHX would have a third terminal by now.