Airport passengers could hit 12m

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/5337506.stm

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Passenger numbers at Belfast International Airport could soar to more than 12 million per year by 2030 according to the airport's master plan.

The report also says 7,000 jobs could be created as a result.

The airport says it will need a new three-storey terminal core to cater for the increase and envisages demolishing the original one in 2015.

A rail link for the airport is also planned as well as enhanced public transport links "throughout the area".

In addition parking areas will be expanded.

"We're confident our investment plans for this airport will result in a fantastic economic asset for Northern Ireland," the airport said.

It said it would contribute "not just to this economy but to the wider island economy because of the number of people using Belfast International as a gateway to Ireland for business and pleasure and as a route to markets abroad".

The airport also forecast that up to 148,000 tonnes of freight and mail could be moving through it by 2030.

Additional dedicated facilities will be constructed to accommodate this growth, it said.

"Environmental impacts will be carefully managed and limited, in strict adherence to the airport's established environmental policy," the airport said.

A spokesman for the Ulster Farmers Union said the developments would be good for the economy.

However, he said he hoped the airport would ensure that "the needs of landowners would be taken into account if there is expansion of road and rail networks".

He said new rail or road links would inevitably impinge on farm land and if that was the case the UFU "would get involved at that stage".

The plan is available for public scrutiny and consultation and the airport said it looks forward to replies from interested parties by 31 October.