Committee To Take Evidence On An Air Strategy For NI

The Northern Ireland Affairs will hold its first evidence session today into a new inquiry into an air transport strategy for Northern Ireland.

The Committee is inquiring into:

•the implications of current air links for Northern Ireland, specifically the economy

•regional and international connectivity

•the lack of public transport links to, and between, Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports

•the implications for Northern Ireland of the Civil Aviation Bill

•the implications of the proposed takeover of bmi by IAG

•tax policy.

Information released by the NI Chamber of Commerce and BAA on 14 February 2012 stated that:

•One in ten jobs in Northern Ireland depend on foreign investment, and half of those companies can only reach their home market through a hub airport

•Aviation supports £1bn of exports from Northern Ireland

•Foreign tourists spend £195m a year in Northern Ireland and account for 360,000 visits – 150,000 of whom arrive by air

•Northern Ireland benefits directly from having a global hub in Britain, with Heathrow directly supporting 1,000 tourism jobs and 900 airport jobs in Northern Ireland.

(CD/GK)