Decision to axe Belfast City passaneger cap quashed
26.10.11
The decision to lift the cap on passenger numbers at Belfast City Airport has been quashed by the High Court. Limits set at two million seats for sale in any year are to be reinstated after successful legal challenges against the move, announced by former Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
Rival Belfast International Airport brought judicial review proceedings against removing the restriction. It said the decision announced last December was unlawful and failed to take into consideration environmental implications.
A further challenge was that the seats restriction was lifted without checking whether there was an effective noise control system and an improved noise management system in place at the City Airport. Residents' group Belfast City Airport Watch issued similar proceedings against the department.
High Court orders confirming the outcome were made after the department conceded both cases ahead of a scheduled full hearing. Court orders have quashed the decision to lift the cap. As a result the revised planning agreement which removed the restriction has been declared of no force or effect.
A spokesman for Belfast City Airport said that they would ‘continue to work closely with the department to agree a noise contour and to engage in a process to modify our existing planning agreement.’ A spokesperson for Belfast International Airport welcomed the High Court decision.
To book belfast airport hotel or belfast airport car park at the lowest price click on these links to belfast airport car parking and belfast airport hotel price comparison pages.
