Belfast City Airport reply to resident's runway concerns
29.01.08
Residents groups spoke out against plans to extend the runway at Belfast City Airport last week in the Belfast Telegraph. The newspaper has now published a reply from the airport's chief executive, Brian Ambrose, who seeks to address the residents concerns
Mr Ambrose told the newspaper: We take on board the views of all local residents as we plan for the future of this airport. As with the majority of airports worldwide located close to cities, any development must be handled in an environmentally sensitive manner and that is something we acknowledge and work towards
We meet and discuss all of our plans and aspects of the airport's operations with residents' groups, politicians, planners and council officers on a regular basis through the established Community Forum.
However, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a number of points on developments at the airport. Firstly, should any future planning application for a runway extension be granted:
(a) the runway extension would improve existing payload efficiencies (i.e. passenger numbers and fuel efficiency) and increase range;
(b) no wide-bodied aircraft would be permitted to operate from the airport. This commitment has been stated repeatedly; and
(c) The airport is not seeking to extend its operating hours, and so there will be no late night flights and we will continue to attempt to land 80% of our arrivals over Belfast Lough.
This year Belfast City Airport celebrates 25 years serving the community of east Belfast and the city as a whole. Over the last quarter century we have also been helping drive forward the economy of Northern Ireland. As well as directly employing over 1000 people, countless other businesses rely on the visitors we bring to Belfast.
Growth has been modest in recent years, and even with a runway extension, would not exceed the growth forecast in our 10-year masterplan. The airport's operations and aspirations are always open and we will happily discuss or clarify any issues through our open door policy.
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