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23/02/2009
City Airport Extension Inquiry Sought
The Green Party are pushing for MLAs at Stormont to vote in favour of a public inquiry into controversial proposals to extend the runway at the George Best Belfast City Airport.
The politicians are to debate the issue on Tuesday when the debate reaches the Assembly floor in a move sponsored by the Green Party.
This will be the first time that a planning application has come before the Assembly, and MLAs from all parties have been lobbied by residents' groups opposed to the extension to support the motion.
Fiona McKinley of Belfast City Airport Watch told the Belfast Telegraph: "MLAs have got to be emphatic and clear. Their message to Sammy Wilson and his planners must leave them in no doubt that such a scheme is not wanted by the thousands of people whose lives are affected by the operations of an expanding urban airport."
The campaigners are hoping that the Minister will follow his own lead and set up a public inquiry, such as that just confirmed into the equally controversial proposals to expand the Sprucefield Retail Park outside Lisburn with a John Lewis department store and 19 additional retail units.
Tomorrow's Green Party motion calls on the Environment Minister to set up a public inquiry into the airport extension to "properly test all the relevant economic and environmental arguments".
Meanwhile, 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 broadcast just two weeks ago, the budget airline's Chief Executive related that he believes the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.
He is thought that such a development is essential to Ryanair's progress in Belfast - although it also operates from City of Derry Airport.
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.
See: Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry
The politicians are to debate the issue on Tuesday when the debate reaches the Assembly floor in a move sponsored by the Green Party.
This will be the first time that a planning application has come before the Assembly, and MLAs from all parties have been lobbied by residents' groups opposed to the extension to support the motion.
Fiona McKinley of Belfast City Airport Watch told the Belfast Telegraph: "MLAs have got to be emphatic and clear. Their message to Sammy Wilson and his planners must leave them in no doubt that such a scheme is not wanted by the thousands of people whose lives are affected by the operations of an expanding urban airport."
The campaigners are hoping that the Minister will follow his own lead and set up a public inquiry, such as that just confirmed into the equally controversial proposals to expand the Sprucefield Retail Park outside Lisburn with a John Lewis department store and 19 additional retail units.
Tomorrow's Green Party motion calls on the Environment Minister to set up a public inquiry into the airport extension to "properly test all the relevant economic and environmental arguments".
Meanwhile, 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 broadcast just two weeks ago, the budget airline's Chief Executive related that he believes the runway will be extended, despite growing opposition to the move.
He is thought that such a development is essential to Ryanair's progress in Belfast - although it also operates from City of Derry Airport.
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.
See: Ryanair Boss 'Rejects' Belfast City Runway Inquiry
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15 October 2009
Airline To Make 'Easymove' To City
Two so-called low-cost airlines are set to go head-to-head next year with news that Easyjet is to move one of its busiest routes from Belfast International Airport to the George Best Belfast City Airport. The orange and white brightly-liveried planes will operate a twice-daily service to London Luton from 7the January next year.
Airline To Make 'Easymove' To City
Two so-called low-cost airlines are set to go head-to-head next year with news that Easyjet is to move one of its busiest routes from Belfast International Airport to the George Best Belfast City Airport. The orange and white brightly-liveried planes will operate a twice-daily service to London Luton from 7the January next year.
20 October 2010
Belfast City Airport's Seat Cap 'May Remain'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure residents that any change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft used. No more than two million seats can be sold from the airport in a year, but NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has proposed plans to remove the current cap.
Belfast City Airport's Seat Cap 'May Remain'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure residents that any change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft used. No more than two million seats can be sold from the airport in a year, but NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has proposed plans to remove the current cap.
06 February 2003
bmi to concentrate services at Belfast City
bmi has announced that it is to discontinue its Heathrow service from Belfast International Airport (BIA) and concentrate resources in Belfast City Airport. However, bmi will maintain a presence at BAI as bmibaby will be including Belfast International as a destination to be served from a new UK base to be announced shortly.
bmi to concentrate services at Belfast City
bmi has announced that it is to discontinue its Heathrow service from Belfast International Airport (BIA) and concentrate resources in Belfast City Airport. However, bmi will maintain a presence at BAI as bmibaby will be including Belfast International as a destination to be served from a new UK base to be announced shortly.
05 October 2001
British Midland step in to serve Heathrow
British Midland has announced that the airline will fly to London Heathrow from both Belfast City Airport and from Belfast International Airport.
British Midland step in to serve Heathrow
British Midland has announced that the airline will fly to London Heathrow from both Belfast City Airport and from Belfast International Airport.
27 September 2023
Belfast City Airport Ranked UK's Most Punctual Airport
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ranked Belfast City Airport as the UK's Most Punctual Airport for the first quarter of 2023. The CAA analyses data on arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights to rank airports performance.
Belfast City Airport Ranked UK's Most Punctual Airport
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ranked Belfast City Airport as the UK's Most Punctual Airport for the first quarter of 2023. The CAA analyses data on arriving and departing scheduled and chartered flights to rank airports performance.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.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.
