SDLP Business Spokesperson Pat Catney has said that action, rather than apologies, is required of the management at Belfast International Airport to resolve the ongoing issue of long security queues and delays.

The MLA was speaking after passengers were forced to wait hours in queues to get through security at the end of last week, sparking widespread outrage on social media.

He said that "recurring apologies" from staff at the airport were simply "not good enough", and demanded urgent action to deal with the problem.

The Lagan Valley MLA explained: "As our largest airport, Belfast International is often the last impression we give to tourists flying from Northern Ireland, and to spend it standing in an unacceptably long security queue with the possibility of missing your flight is simply not the message we should to be sending out.

"It is imperative that swift action is taken to ensure this ongoing problem is rectified, before flyers take their custom elsewhere."

The facility has been dogged by complaints for the last year of long queues and frustrating delays in baggage.

Leading company in security logistics, Wilson James, took over security provision at the airport on 01 November 2018 and promised to recruit 50 new staff to tackle the issue, however the situation remained bleak for those flying out of Belfast International after the New Year last week.



(JG/CM)