Belfast International Awards Runway Contract

Belfast International Airport has awarded a contract for the resurfacing of its main runway.

Local construction firm Whitemountain Quarries will undertake the work between March and May of this year.

The Airport has confirmed there will be no impact on normal airport activities, due to the work taking place at night.

Modifications and upgrades will also be carried out on airfield ground lighting, drainage and airfield boundary and stand markings.

Belfast International Airport Managing Director John Doran said: "In this our 50th anniversary year, this investment is a clear statement of our commitment to the local economy and the people who use our airport.

"This is one of a significant number of announcements that we intend to make during 2013 – all of them positive, forward-looking and with confidence as their common theme. We have a lot to celebrate, and we intend putting down a big marker that we are a pivotal partner in this wider community.

"I’m delighted to be in the position to say that a local company with all the required technical experience has won this important contract. The runway covers an area of 18 Wembley football pitches and the contractor will use 26,000 tonnes of asphalt, all of which indicates the scale of what’s involved."

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, visiting Belfast International said: "This news is an excellent start to help celebrate the airports 50th anniversary and I congratulate everyone involved as it quite literally builds for the future."

Mark Kelly, Managing Director, Whitemountain Quarries, added: "We will be employing the latest construction techniques and, of course, working under floodlights will safeguard the smooth day-to-day operation of airport – an essential part of the project. This contract will safeguard up to seventy jobs in these challenging economic conditions."

(IT)