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McDonnell: Residents want airport limits retained

South Belfast MP Dr. Alasdair McDonnell has said residents in South and East Belfast are deeply concerned at attempts by Belfast City Airport to remove existing limits on the number of seats on flights that can be sold every year.

Tue 10th November

The current limit of two million was agreed between the Airport and the Planning Service in May 2008.

Less than 13 months later, Belfast City Airport Chief Executive Brian Ambrose has written to the Minister for the Environment requesting that this ceiling be removed to allow up to four million passengers to travel on flights through Belfast City Airport every year.

Dr. McDonnell said residents in South and East Belfast are deeply concerned by this development.

“Residents who live directly under the flight path of this Airport are having their lives made miserable by the current volume of air traffic to and from Belfast City Airport.

“A doubling of passengers using the Airport from 2 to 4 million will mean at the very least, heavier and noisier planes, which in turn, residents fear will make their lives completely intolerable”.

The SDLP Deputy Leader said there was a growing suspicion and mistrust among residents of the motivations of Belfast City Airport officials.

“There is a genuine worry and suspicion among residents that after the application for the extension of the runway, this is just the latest calculated move by Belfast City Airport to increase flight traffic and hence profit for the Airport.

“I am in favour of sustainable development but from an economic point of view, I have doubts that the city of Belfast can sustain two international airports”.

Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP, MLA, Assembly

Email mcdonnella@parliament.uk
Tel 028 9024 2474

Press Office

Tel 028 90 52 1837

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