Holywood Alliance Council Candidate Larry Thompson has congratulated Belfast International Airport on being granted a Judicial Review on the decision by Environment Minister Edwin Poots to remove the annual seats for sale restrictions at our City Airport.
Both BIA and Belfast City Airport Watch Ltd want an order quashing the decision which lifts the limit of two million seats a year. The cap on 48,000 annual flights at Belfast City Airport is to remain the same.
Larry Thompson stated “The removal of the seats for sale restrictions would give an unrestricted opportunity for slots occupied by very small aircraft to be used by very large aircraft. The QC for BIA had made the point that a strong correlation exists between the size of aircraft and the noise emitted.”
Larry has been campaigning over many years for planes to abide by reduced acceptable
noise levels for all flights flying into and out of the airport, which is surrounded by a very dense built-up environment of houses, especially in East Belfast and areas of North Down.
Concluding, Larry stated “I strongly support Belfast City Airport as, a much valued city airport, which should remain a key regional airport at the same time as respecting the approved conditions which exist to protect the surrounding residents.”
ENDS