Menu
05/08/2002
Consultation on future of NI air travel published
Regional Development Minister Peter Robinson has welcomed the publication of the Northern Ireland Air Transport Consultation Document by the British Department of Transport today.
The consultation is part of the government response to the huge rise in air travel and how to best provide the airport provision necessary to cope with demand. The government believes that already-stretched air traffic controllers will be deluged as volume is expected to increase threefold by the year 2030. Following the consultation period, a government White Paper on air transport is expected to be in place by early next year.
Mr Robinson said that the outcome of the consultation would impact greatly on Northern Ireland as it was heavily reliant on air links with the mainland. As such, he said, the time had come for government to make the "difficult decisions" over the future of air travel.
“As the only part of the United Kingdom with no direct road or rail links with the mainland, Northern Ireland is very heavily dependent upon its air links with Great Britain," said Mr Robinson.
“Clearly there are many pressures on the airports in the London area and I am pleased that government at national level is preparing to take some difficult decisions on how to cope with increasing demand.”
The publication is the last in a series of consultation documents covering all UK regions. In common with the consultation documents for the other regions, the NI Consultation Document identifies a number of possible future scenarios and invites views on a range of key issues affecting air transport.
Earlier this year, the DRD commissioned a study of Northern Ireland Air Services by Oxford Economic Forecasting and Airport Strategy and Marketing. The minister said that this study had produced "a wealth of valuable information" and he pledged to publish the findings of the study to interested parties to assist them in responding to the consultation document.
(GMcG)
The consultation is part of the government response to the huge rise in air travel and how to best provide the airport provision necessary to cope with demand. The government believes that already-stretched air traffic controllers will be deluged as volume is expected to increase threefold by the year 2030. Following the consultation period, a government White Paper on air transport is expected to be in place by early next year.
Mr Robinson said that the outcome of the consultation would impact greatly on Northern Ireland as it was heavily reliant on air links with the mainland. As such, he said, the time had come for government to make the "difficult decisions" over the future of air travel.
“As the only part of the United Kingdom with no direct road or rail links with the mainland, Northern Ireland is very heavily dependent upon its air links with Great Britain," said Mr Robinson.
“Clearly there are many pressures on the airports in the London area and I am pleased that government at national level is preparing to take some difficult decisions on how to cope with increasing demand.”
The publication is the last in a series of consultation documents covering all UK regions. In common with the consultation documents for the other regions, the NI Consultation Document identifies a number of possible future scenarios and invites views on a range of key issues affecting air transport.
Earlier this year, the DRD commissioned a study of Northern Ireland Air Services by Oxford Economic Forecasting and Airport Strategy and Marketing. The minister said that this study had produced "a wealth of valuable information" and he pledged to publish the findings of the study to interested parties to assist them in responding to the consultation document.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2024
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
Lidl Northern Ireland Opens Two New Stores
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the reopening of its Stewartstown Road store in West Belfast and the opening of a new store in Carryduff. The Stewartstown Road store, which has undergone a major redevelopment, will reopen on December 5th. The new Carryduff store, Lidl’s 43rd in Northern Ireland, will open on December 12th.
28 November 2024
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
29 November 2024
Other News In Brief
Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th. The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM.
Other News In Brief
Man Arrested After Shooting Incident In Crumlin Police in Crumlin have arrested a 58-year-old man in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Thursday, November 28th. The incident took place at a residential property in the Randox Road area around 5:30 PM.
26 November 2020
NI's First Ever Clean Air Strategy Launched
With some 800 deaths per year associated with air pollution, Northern Ireland's first ever Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
NI's First Ever Clean Air Strategy Launched
With some 800 deaths per year associated with air pollution, Northern Ireland's first ever Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
17 June 2022
Lack Of Clean Air Strategy A 'Dereliction Of Duty'
Executive Parties have been accused of a "dereliction of duty" for failing to bring forward a Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. Green party Deputy leader Mal O'Hara made the comments as he marked "another Clean Air day without a Clean Air Strategy".
Lack Of Clean Air Strategy A 'Dereliction Of Duty'
Executive Parties have been accused of a "dereliction of duty" for failing to bring forward a Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland. Green party Deputy leader Mal O'Hara made the comments as he marked "another Clean Air day without a Clean Air Strategy".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
