Belfast Airport runway extension public inquiry

17.03.10

A public inquiry is to be held into proposals to extend the length of the runway at Belfast City Airport, Environment Minister Edwin Poots announced yesterday. The airport wants to increase the north east end of the runway by 590m while removing 120m from the south west end to permit bigger aircraft to operate. It has suggested the plans may create 100 jobs and £120m in tourism revenue.

There were 1486 letters of objection and petitions with 499 names and 2241 letters of support sent to the authorities over the proposals. Mr Poots said: ‘I have listened with care to all the arguments on this case and I have decided that, in the interests of everybody concerned, it must receive further consideration. Because of the important issues at stake, I have instructed my staff to ask the Planning Appeals Commission to hold a public inquiry and to ask for the inquiry to be given a high priority’.

Belfast City Airport CEO, Brian Ambrose, stated he is confident the inquiry will reach ‘a positive outcome’. He said: ‘We're pleased to again engage in such a process but would call for the inquiry to be held in a fashion that doesn't postpone any longer a much needed boost to the economy via better access, job creation and tourism revenue.'

‘There is widespread support from business, tourism, the travelling public of Northern Ireland and the local community to extend the runway, which would allow air carriers to provide direct flights to European hotspots from the center of Belfast, giving customer choice and furthering access into the region.’

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