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19/10/2010
Residents To 'Shoot Down' Airport Seat Sale
MLAs were today being told of east Belfast residents' worries over developments at Belfast's second airport.
The Stormont Assembly's Environment Committee heard their concerns about the NI Environment Minister's proposal to remove the passenger limit at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Both the umbrella residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW), and the airport's executives briefed the Committee on the issue.
Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW), which represents residents in east and south Belfast, and in north Down, said that any such move would have grave implications for the tens of thousands of local people affected by aircraft noise.
"We're horrified at the potential implication of allowing the airport to handle as many passengers as it wishes," said BCAW's Steering Group Chair, Dr Liz Fawcett.
"If the Minister goes ahead with this move, it will almost certainly lead to a significant expansion by stealth of the airport and the noise problem suffered by residents.
"Until now, the passenger restriction meant a mixture of small and large aircraft used the airport.
"If that cap is removed, there would be nothing to stop every plane being one of the larger and noisier types which currently fly from the airport - that would be an absolute nightmare for residents," she said.
Last June, the Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, (pictured here) proposed the removal of a key clause in the airport's Planning Agreement with the Department of the Environment (DOE) which limits the number of seats offered for sale on outgoing flights from the airport to two million in any 12-month period.
At the same time, he revealed a key potential noise control stipulated in the Planning Agreement - an indicative noise control contour - wasn't in place as it hadn't been agreed between the airport and the DOE.
The Department recently admitted to the Environment Committee that the airport has, in fact, broken the seats for sale restriction and that the DOE is taking no moves to enforce it. The Department also admitted that it is not enforcing a further condition in the Planning Agreement designed to restrict late flights.
"The Planning Agreement is the only protection residents currently have against excessive aircraft noise," observed Dr Fawcett.
"The fact that it's being neither implemented nor enforced properly is a key reason why so many people are suffering from the effects of aircraft noise.
"If the Minister started enforcing these regulations properly rather than trying to get rid of them, he could make a significant difference to the health and quality of life of tens of thousands of local residents."
(BMcC/GK)
The Stormont Assembly's Environment Committee heard their concerns about the NI Environment Minister's proposal to remove the passenger limit at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Both the umbrella residents' group, Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW), and the airport's executives briefed the Committee on the issue.
Belfast City Airport Watch (BCAW), which represents residents in east and south Belfast, and in north Down, said that any such move would have grave implications for the tens of thousands of local people affected by aircraft noise.
"We're horrified at the potential implication of allowing the airport to handle as many passengers as it wishes," said BCAW's Steering Group Chair, Dr Liz Fawcett.
"If the Minister goes ahead with this move, it will almost certainly lead to a significant expansion by stealth of the airport and the noise problem suffered by residents.
"Until now, the passenger restriction meant a mixture of small and large aircraft used the airport.
"If that cap is removed, there would be nothing to stop every plane being one of the larger and noisier types which currently fly from the airport - that would be an absolute nightmare for residents," she said.
Last June, the Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, (pictured here) proposed the removal of a key clause in the airport's Planning Agreement with the Department of the Environment (DOE) which limits the number of seats offered for sale on outgoing flights from the airport to two million in any 12-month period.
At the same time, he revealed a key potential noise control stipulated in the Planning Agreement - an indicative noise control contour - wasn't in place as it hadn't been agreed between the airport and the DOE.
The Department recently admitted to the Environment Committee that the airport has, in fact, broken the seats for sale restriction and that the DOE is taking no moves to enforce it. The Department also admitted that it is not enforcing a further condition in the Planning Agreement designed to restrict late flights.
"The Planning Agreement is the only protection residents currently have against excessive aircraft noise," observed Dr Fawcett.
"The fact that it's being neither implemented nor enforced properly is a key reason why so many people are suffering from the effects of aircraft noise.
"If the Minister started enforcing these regulations properly rather than trying to get rid of them, he could make a significant difference to the health and quality of life of tens of thousands of local residents."
(BMcC/GK)
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13 April 2011
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City Airport's Holiday Routes Opposed
Seven new routes to holiday destinations in continental Europe are to operate from George Best Belfast City Airport - thanks to boosted aircraft engines. Bmibaby will run services to Malaga, Alicante, Palma, Faro, Ibiza, Amsterdam and Geneva.
11 November 2009
Airport's Extra Passenger Bid Slammed
Residents have reacted angrily to reports that George Best Belfast City Airport is trying to get a cap on its passenger numbers lifted. A spokeswoman said this week that the airport's management has written to the Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, to request that the current limit of two million 'seats for sale' be removed.
Airport's Extra Passenger Bid Slammed
Residents have reacted angrily to reports that George Best Belfast City Airport is trying to get a cap on its passenger numbers lifted. A spokeswoman said this week that the airport's management has written to the Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, to request that the current limit of two million 'seats for sale' be removed.
30 September 2011
Airport Volume 'Up In The Air'
The 'volume' of traffic in and out of NI's only city-based airport is back in focus today as the Stormont Environment Minister begins a public process that will eventually modify the existing Planning Agreement between the Department of Environment and George Best Belfast City Airport (GBBCA).
Airport Volume 'Up In The Air'
The 'volume' of traffic in and out of NI's only city-based airport is back in focus today as the Stormont Environment Minister begins a public process that will eventually modify the existing Planning Agreement between the Department of Environment and George Best Belfast City Airport (GBBCA).
28 August 2002
Noise monitoring review for NI airports announced
A review of the current noise pollution monitoring arrangements used by Northern Ireland’s airports has been announced by the Department of Regional Development (DRD). The DRD review follows up on the recent publication by the Department for Transport of a consultation document on air services to and from Northern Ireland.
Noise monitoring review for NI airports announced
A review of the current noise pollution monitoring arrangements used by Northern Ireland’s airports has been announced by the Department of Regional Development (DRD). The DRD review follows up on the recent publication by the Department for Transport of a consultation document on air services to and from Northern Ireland.
04 June 2010
Poots Flies Into City Airport Controversy
Local residents say they're furious that the Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has said he's likely to lift the official limit on passenger numbers at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Poots Flies Into City Airport Controversy
Local residents say they're furious that the Stormont Environment Minister, Edwin Poots, has said he's likely to lift the official limit on passenger numbers at George Best Belfast City Airport.
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