George Best Belfast City Airport: Inquiry to examine route changes attempt
George Best Belfast City Airport: Inquiry examines route changes attempt
(about 3 hours later)
A public inquiry examining an attempt by George Best Belfast City Airport to change part of its planning agreement to pursue more direct European routes has opened in Belfast.
A public inquiry has opened into an attempt by George Belfast Belfast City Airport to alter part of its existing planning agreement.
The inquiry is scheduled to hear evidence over four days, beginning on Monday.
It wants the removal of a cap of two million on the number of departure seats it can sell each year so it can pursue more direct European routes.
It has been told that the environment minister will not be bound by its final recommendations.
Its lawyer told the hearing in Belfast the restriction was preventing growth.
The airport wants to remove a 'seats for sale' cap.
Belfast International Airport, along with residents groups, is objecting to the move.
But a number of residents groups in areas under flight paths have concerns over noise.
A lawyer for Belfast International Airport said the restriction on the number of seats for sale was "effective in controlling noise to a lower level".
The airport is limited to selling no more than two million departing seats per year.
The hearing is expected to last four days, with noise issues due to be focused on in detail on Wednesday.
It argues that this a barrier to growth.
The inquiry is taking place before the Planning Appeals Commission.
Larger planes
The commissioner hearing the case said its recommendations would not be binding on Stormont Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, who will make a final decision.
Much of the inquiry will focus on noise control.
About 2.5 million passengers use the airport annually - a figure representing both departing and incoming travellers.
A recommendation will be made to Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, who will make a final decision.
Airport chief executive Brian Ambrose said it wanted the change to enable it "to compete and actively pursue additional airlines and more direct European routes".
He added: "No larger planes will use the runway than currently do so."
But Belfast City Airport Watch, a group representing residents, argue the airport's attempt to alter planning is "unacceptable".
Chairperson Liz Fawcett said: "We have evidence that many residents already suffer disrupted sleep, higher stress and poorer quality of life, due to existing levels of aircraft noise."
Around 2.5 million passengers use the airport annually - a figure representing both departing and incoming travellers.
