McDonnell: Poots will support controversial City Airport runway extension

SDLP South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell says plans to give the green light to the controversial main runway extension at Belfast City Airport without a Public Inquiry have been drawn up.

Mon 7th December

Dr. McDonnell, who is the SDLP’s Economic Affairs spokesperson said he understood that the Planning Application by the City had been given the full support of Minister Edwin Poots. Airport

“The key driver in all of this controversy would appear to be commercial profit for Michael O’Leary and Ryanair in their competitive war with the Aer Lingus operation at the International. Airport

“There needs to absolute transparency surrounding any decision on the implications of the runway extension. The necessary public confidence in the political process can only be achieved if that decision, one way or the other, is made after a full Public Inquiry. Commercial threats must not be allowed to play any role in what has to be a sound commercial and environmental examination of all the relevant facts.”

The Minister’s support for the City Airport scheme, Dr. McDonnell said, has been taken by his Department against the backdrop of Northern Ireland having no official Aviation Strategy in place.

“The lack of such an important transport strategy has left the public of Northern Ireland exposed to potential commercial exploitation at the expense of environmental health and safety protection.

“Last week I wrote to the Minister seeking clarification from him regarding the timescale for implementing such a strategy. It is incredible that in terms of the economic blueprint for Northern Ireland we are still waiting for such a key business and tourism plan. Instead we continue to have to suffer from a disjointed approach to the regulation and monitoring of flights over Belfast.

“My information is that the Minster will make a public announcement by the end of the month in relation to the Airport runway. His decision will fly directly in the face of all logical arguments against such a move put forward by a wide cross section of the general public and by politicians from all sides of the community, including his party leader, Peter Robinson.

“The Minister and his Department will try and sell this scheme by stressing that it will “only be an additional 500 metres of tarmac.” Dr. McDonnell added:

“That condescending approach however is one that, if implemented, will be one that pose intolerable pressures in terms of pollution and noise nuisance. There are also major fears among the public that the additional flights will increase the potential for structural damage to homes and buildings across a wide area of Belfast.

“Surely Mr. Poots can’t be blind to the adverse environmental issues that will be generated if he goes ahead with this ill-conceived plan,” Dr. McDonnell said.

The proposed 500 metre runway extension project has been described by the management of the City as a vital part of its development plan. The project has received significant public support from Michael O’Leary of Ryanair, one of the main airlines currently using the airport. Airport

The outspoken Ryanair Chief Executive has warned however that unless the extension is added to the runway it will have serious implications for Ryanair’s continued commitment to usage of the City. Airport

Dr. McDonnell however said that no decision to back the runway extension could have “any credibility” until a proper regional Aviation Strategy was developed and agreed for Northern Ireland.

“It is only then that we will be able to make rational and fully informed decisions on any extensions or changes to our airports network. We cannot afford any suggestion that such important decisions will be taken on any grounds other than what is best for the wellbeing of the general public.”

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