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29/01/2009
Stormont Urged To Debate City Airport Runway Plan
Conflicting views over the benefits of the proposed runway extension at Belfast City Airport are to reach the Assembly floor.
The Green Party's Brian Wilson has tabled a motion at Stormont calling for a public inquiry into the development.
Earlier this week the North Down MLA listed 10 reasons why he believed an extension should not be approved at the east Belfast hub.
The move has been supported by local residents' groups who have branded the proposed runway extension as an irreversible nightmare.
They have said it will result in thousands more large noisy jets flying over large parts of east and south Belfast.
Belfast City Airport Watch spokesman Jamie Andrews told the Belfast News Letter: "It's now imperative that the Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, listens to ordinary people in the affected communities, and either rejects this scheme outright or holds a public inquiry into it."
City Airport Chief Executive, Brian Ambrose, has however questioned the Assemblyman's complaints and pointed to the fact that Mr Wilson has turned down the opportunity to meet airport management to discuss the runway extension.
He also noted 1,704 objections to the scheme which he insisted only amounted to 0.4% of the greater Belfast population.
"The small number of objections reaffirms the independent research findings that the vast majority of the community is supportive and recognises the economic benefits the runway extension will bring to the area.
"I understand many of those objections relate to activities that we do not plan to undertake, such as using larger aircraft, requesting more flights or a change to the operating hours," Mr Ambrose said.
He added: "Plans for the proposed runway extension have been welcomed across the business community and by politicians and community groups who recognise the economic and further investment benefits that as a region we can ill-afford to turn down."
(BMcC/JM)
The Green Party's Brian Wilson has tabled a motion at Stormont calling for a public inquiry into the development.
Earlier this week the North Down MLA listed 10 reasons why he believed an extension should not be approved at the east Belfast hub.
The move has been supported by local residents' groups who have branded the proposed runway extension as an irreversible nightmare.
They have said it will result in thousands more large noisy jets flying over large parts of east and south Belfast.
Belfast City Airport Watch spokesman Jamie Andrews told the Belfast News Letter: "It's now imperative that the Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, listens to ordinary people in the affected communities, and either rejects this scheme outright or holds a public inquiry into it."
City Airport Chief Executive, Brian Ambrose, has however questioned the Assemblyman's complaints and pointed to the fact that Mr Wilson has turned down the opportunity to meet airport management to discuss the runway extension.
He also noted 1,704 objections to the scheme which he insisted only amounted to 0.4% of the greater Belfast population.
"The small number of objections reaffirms the independent research findings that the vast majority of the community is supportive and recognises the economic benefits the runway extension will bring to the area.
"I understand many of those objections relate to activities that we do not plan to undertake, such as using larger aircraft, requesting more flights or a change to the operating hours," Mr Ambrose said.
He added: "Plans for the proposed runway extension have been welcomed across the business community and by politicians and community groups who recognise the economic and further investment benefits that as a region we can ill-afford to turn down."
(BMcC/JM)
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25 February 2009
Airport Extension 'Inquiry Decision' Welcomed
The Stormont Assembly has voted in favour of a full public inquiry into the controversal bid to extend the runway at Belfast's George Best City Airport. Although a victory for those campaigning against the proposed runway extension, the decision won't actualy make that much difference.
Airport Extension 'Inquiry Decision' Welcomed
The Stormont Assembly has voted in favour of a full public inquiry into the controversal bid to extend the runway at Belfast's George Best City Airport. Although a victory for those campaigning against the proposed runway extension, the decision won't actualy make that much difference.
11 August 2010
Inquiry Into City Airport Extension 'Crashes'
Residents from east Belfast have welcomed a tough stance taken by the Planning Appeals Commission, which has this week halted the public inquiry into the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport.
Inquiry Into City Airport Extension 'Crashes'
Residents from east Belfast have welcomed a tough stance taken by the Planning Appeals Commission, which has this week halted the public inquiry into the proposed runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport.
02 March 2010
Report Slams Runway Extension Bid
Campaigners have again called for the rejection of a controversial runway extension plan submitted by George Best Belfast City Airport.
Report Slams Runway Extension Bid
Campaigners have again called for the rejection of a controversial runway extension plan submitted by George Best Belfast City Airport.
20 October 2010
Belfast City Airport's Seat Cap 'May Remain'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure residents that any change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft used. No more than two million seats can be sold from the airport in a year, but NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has proposed plans to remove the current cap.
Belfast City Airport's Seat Cap 'May Remain'
The boss of George Best Belfast City Airport has been trying to reassure residents that any change in the airport's controversial 'Seats for Sale' limit wouldn't mean more aircraft used. No more than two million seats can be sold from the airport in a year, but NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has proposed plans to remove the current cap.
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.
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