Minister announces new air route development fund

Enterprise Minister Ian Pearson today announced plans to set up a special fund to encourage the development of new direct air routes with Europe.

The new Route Development Fund will aim to promote the development of new air routes, particularly to and from Continental Europe, through the provision of investment support for local airports to reduce landing charges for carriers on selected and targeted new routes.

Speaking on Thursday morning, the Minister said: “The fund will be open to all of Northern Ireland’s commercial airports. It will operate on a pilot basis and be administered by Air Route Development (NI) Ltd, a new company set up recently by Invest NI for the express purpose of encouraging new air route development."

The new Board will be chaired by Invest NI Board member Bill McGinnis and will consist of representatives of a range of organisations to ensure a "co-ordinated and comprehensive approach across Government in supporting new route development".

Welcoming the announcement, West Tyrone MP, Pat Doherty said the move would help reduce landing charges for carriers on selected and targeted routes which in turn would benefit both the tourist and business economies in the province.

(MB)