Airport Volume 'Up In The Air'

The 'volume' of traffic in and out of NI's only city-based airport is back in focus today as the Stormont Environment Minister begins a public process that will eventually modify the existing Planning Agreement between the Department of Environment and George Best Belfast City Airport (GBBCA).

SDLP Minister, Alex Attwood said, that at present there is a Planning Agreement that controls certain aspects of the airport's operations including the number of aircraft movements, hours of operation and the types of aircraft that can use the airport.

"My objective in seeking to modify this Planning Agreement is to achieve a fair, effective and enforceable noise management system.

"What I want to see is a system that provides appropriate protection for the local community and surrounding environment," he said.

"The system will provide operational flexibility and commercial certainty for the airport with the environment protected and the quality of life respected.

"This process will be transparent and inclusive. I am proposing that the process will be subject to Public Examination with a decision taken on the modifications by early Summer 2012.

"The overall approach in seeking this change to the Planning Agreement is about balancing public and private interests," he added, noting: "The ultimate aim is to achieve the right balance between the social and economic benefits of airport expansion with the need to protect the quality of life for local residents and the environment."

He said that the process would include a public consultation on proposals for a noise management system, to be brought forward by GBBCA.

This will include a Public Examination to independently consider all of the issues and to report back to the Minister.

Following consideration of the report on the Public Examination, the Minister will decide what modifications should be included in the Planning Agreement.

Welcome From Residents

Residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW) has reacted to the news that the Environment Minister is considering modifying the noise regulations governing the operation of George Best Belfast City Airport.

Dr Liz Fawcett, Chair of BCAW's Steering Group commented: "We believe that he could simply implement recommendations from the last official inquiry on this matter."

She also revealed that Alex Attwood's announcement today comes after the Department dropped its defence in a legal battle with BCAW over the current planning agreement.

"While we welcome the fact that the Department has, in effect, conceded our legal case and appreciate the Minister's active interest in the noise issue we believe that he could simply implement in full the recommendations from the last official inquiry on this matter, rather than starting again from scratch."

She added: "The airport's own figures show that the number of people seriously affected by aircraft noise has trebled in just three years and now stands at more than 11,000 - far higher than the numbers affected by this level of noise at major airports like Stansted and Gatwick.

"This is a crazy situation when we have a perfectly good international airport just 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Belfast which affects relatively few residents.

"If the Department implemented the recommendations of the last inquiry, it would bring immediate relief to tens of thousands of residents whose lives are affected by some degree of aircraft noise, and who currently face the prospect of a spiralling noise problem thanks to the airport's plans to expand international flights," she said.

BCAW had been given leave to seek a judicial review in the High Court over a decision by the previous Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, to drop a key environmental clause in the planning agreement between George Best Belfast City Airport and the Department.

The clause limited to two million the number of seats, which could be sold in any one year on flights from the airport, restricting the proportion of larger, noisier aircraft, which could be operated.

This morning, in the High Court, lawyers for the Department of the Environment said the Department was withdrawing its defence against the case taken by the campaigners and also, separately, by Belfast International Airport.

"However, our prime concern is that the seats for sale clause should now be implemented and properly enforced, along with the other elements required for a robust system of noise management which will offer real protection to local residents," Dr Fawcett concluded.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the airport said: "We will continue to work closely with the Department to agree a noise contour and to engage in a process to modify our existing planning agreement.

"Belfast City Airport is one of the most tightly constrained airports in the UK and an important contributor to the local economy. It is important that this issue is resolved in a timely manner."

At present, operating hours are from 6.30am to 9.30pm with possible extended hours up to just before midnight, although these hours are only to be used in exceptional circumstances. However, no restrictions apply to diverted aircraft at any time.

As well, no more than a total of 48,000 aircraft 'movements' are allowed in any 12 month period and the airport is required to maintain a bias in favour of approaches and climb-outs over Belfast Lough - not over east Belfast.

(BMcC/GK)