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10/02/2009
Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry
There's bad news for an east Belfast residents' group that is fighting the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said that he is "fairly satisfied" the Northern Ireland Planning Service will approve the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.
Speaking on a BBC Spotlight programme to be broadcast on Tuesday, the budget airline's Chief Executive related that he believes the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.
Such a development is essential to Ryanair's progress in Belfast - although it also operates from City of Derry Airport in the North as it is needed to allow him to fill all the seats on aircraft already being operated - but subject to weight restrictions because of the 'short' runaway.
Such a move would also allow him to utilise these larger aircraft and fly them to continental and transatlantic destinations.
This would open up a whole new 'world' of holiday destinations for the company, by attracting leisure business to Mediterranean destinations.
On a visit North in late 2008, O'Leary said his airline would introduce international services for the summer of 2010 if the runway were extended in time.
However, there has already been a call for a public inquiry into the expansion plan, which to date attracted more than 1,700 objections to Planning Service after being submitted in November.
Tonight's programme will see Mr O'Leary dismiss the need for such an investigation and to rubbished calls for a public inquiry: "At the end of the day, you still have to make a decision," he said.
However, the residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch's spokesman Jamie Andrews insisted last month: "It's now imperative that the Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, listens to ordinary people in the affected communities, and either rejects this scheme outright or holds a public inquiry into it."
See: Stormont Urged To Debate City Airport Runway Plan
See: City Airport Extension Plan Flies Into Trouble
See: Is Runway Extension 'Key' To Belfast Airport Sale?
(BMcC/JM)
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has said that he is "fairly satisfied" the Northern Ireland Planning Service will approve the proposal for a longer runway at the facility.
Speaking on a BBC Spotlight programme to be broadcast on Tuesday, the budget airline's Chief Executive related that he believes the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.
Such a development is essential to Ryanair's progress in Belfast - although it also operates from City of Derry Airport in the North as it is needed to allow him to fill all the seats on aircraft already being operated - but subject to weight restrictions because of the 'short' runaway.
Such a move would also allow him to utilise these larger aircraft and fly them to continental and transatlantic destinations.
This would open up a whole new 'world' of holiday destinations for the company, by attracting leisure business to Mediterranean destinations.
On a visit North in late 2008, O'Leary said his airline would introduce international services for the summer of 2010 if the runway were extended in time.
However, there has already been a call for a public inquiry into the expansion plan, which to date attracted more than 1,700 objections to Planning Service after being submitted in November.
Tonight's programme will see Mr O'Leary dismiss the need for such an investigation and to rubbished calls for a public inquiry: "At the end of the day, you still have to make a decision," he said.
However, the residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch's spokesman Jamie Andrews insisted last month: "It's now imperative that the Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, listens to ordinary people in the affected communities, and either rejects this scheme outright or holds a public inquiry into it."
See: Stormont Urged To Debate City Airport Runway Plan
See: City Airport Extension Plan Flies Into Trouble
See: Is Runway Extension 'Key' To Belfast Airport Sale?
(BMcC/JM)
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07 September 2011
Attwood Rejects PPS 24 Planning Policy
A controversial planning law has been shelved, with the withdrawal receiving a warm welcome. The Stormont Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has rejected the PPS 24 planning policy after 'listening to the public, business groups and the commercial sector'.
Attwood Rejects PPS 24 Planning Policy
A controversial planning law has been shelved, with the withdrawal receiving a warm welcome. The Stormont Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has rejected the PPS 24 planning policy after 'listening to the public, business groups and the commercial sector'.
20 October 2010
City Airport's Seat Limit 'May Stay'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure local residents that any future change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft being used.
City Airport's Seat Limit 'May Stay'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure local residents that any future change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft being used.
01 November 2010
Ryanair's Belfast City Flights Withdrawn
Services from Belfast to London Stansted and four other UK destinations have been axed by the Irish budget airline, Ryanair. Around 1,000 jobs may have been hit with the closure which has gone ahead despite the Belfast base being profitable.
Ryanair's Belfast City Flights Withdrawn
Services from Belfast to London Stansted and four other UK destinations have been axed by the Irish budget airline, Ryanair. Around 1,000 jobs may have been hit with the closure which has gone ahead despite the Belfast base being profitable.
05 May 2011
Residents Alarmed Over City Runway Plans
East Belfast residents have expressed alarm at a draft planning policy document which they said could pave the way for George Best Belfast City Airport to be permitted its long-sought runway extension.
Residents Alarmed Over City Runway Plans
East Belfast residents have expressed alarm at a draft planning policy document which they said could pave the way for George Best Belfast City Airport to be permitted its long-sought runway extension.
18 November 2008
City Airport Extension Plan Flies Into Trouble
There's a row brewing over plans to extend Belfast's second airport. The head of Belfast International Airport has today demanded a public inquiry into the call for a runway extension at the rival George Best Belfast City Airport.
City Airport Extension Plan Flies Into Trouble
There's a row brewing over plans to extend Belfast's second airport. The head of Belfast International Airport has today demanded a public inquiry into the call for a runway extension at the rival George Best Belfast City Airport.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
