Angry Residents Oppose Extra 3,000 City Flights

With George Best Belfast City Airport now up for sale, leaked news that another 3,000 flights a year are to be allowed in and out after a proposed runway extension is built is no surprise.

Ferrovial, the Spanish construction company - that currently owns the facility - is thought to be selling it in a bid to reduce its overall group debt burden of more than £23 billion.

However, it is now believed that any new owner will want to proceed with an application to enlarge the existing runway as a matter of urgency.

But, a residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch, has now claimed that the increased number of flights will bring the number to 48,000.

A spokesperson for the group said the new figures were revealed in a draft document produced by the Department of the Environment (DOE).

But, the DOE said it was inappropriate to comment as the draft planning agreement "is currently subject to consultation".

The BBC has reported that Airport Watch's Fiona McKinley said: "We are absolutely furious about this latest development.

"We're calling on Environment Minister Sammy Wilson to subject the Draft Planning Agreement to full public consultation."

However, plans for a controversial runway extension in east Belfast's already busy facility at the George Best Belfast City Airport may be crucial to attracting a buyer.

Ferrovial bought the airport from Canada's Bombardier in 2003 for £35 million, and analysts now say the Spanish company could sell the facility for up to £150 million.

The airport was aiming to lodge an application to extend their runway in the 'second quarter' of this year and there is continued speculation that the application could be made as soon as June.

The proposal for a runway extension was first outlined last October.

This year, the airport is likely to be used by about 2.7 million passengers so the plan to extend the runway at Sydenham from its existing length of 1,829m by 600m, would increase the scope of the airport to handle even greater numbers - which could well be the target for a new owner, anxious to get a return on a £multi-million investment.

However, residents' groups are opposed to further expansion, but an official 'Examination in Public' in 2006 gave the green light to an increase in traffic.

At the same time, Ryanair - which began operations at George Best Belfast City Airport last October - needs the much-debated extension to the runway.

The company has always been mindful that its modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft are subject to restrictions on the number of passengers they can carry on take-off.

The aircraft, which has 189 seats, is permitted to carry only 140 passengers on departing flights, but if the runway were lengthened they would be able to carry a full payload.

See: Is Runway Extension 'Key' To Belfast Airport Sale?

See: Ryanair Flying High - For Now

(BMcC)